Opinion ID: 655579
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the scope of the search issue

Text: 15 In a consensual search, the scope of the defendant's consent governs the scope of the search. See, e.g., United States v. Strickland, 902 F.2d 937, 941 (11th Cir.1990); United States v. Blake, 888 F.2d 795, 798 (11th Cir.1989). It is undisputed that Hidalgo signed a consent to search form authorizing a complete search of his residence, the curtilage, two automobiles, and all outbuildings. The form also authorized the officers to remove from the premises any articles, items, letters, or papers to be used in the investigation of a drug violation. Nonetheless, Hidalgo argues that, because the consent to search form was written in English and he does not speak English, the scope of his consent should be dictated by Perez's Spanish explanation of the form, and he argues that the Government offered no evidence that Hidalgo was ever told in Spanish that the officers were searching for tax returns, personal check books, check registers, or records of personal expenditures. 16 The record and the magistrate judge's findings are contrary to Hidalgo's contentions. Perez testified that he explained to Hidalgo that the officers were searching for papers and articles. The magistrate judge found that Perez had explained the consent to search form to Hidalgo and that the form authorized the seizure of the documents in question. The district court adopted the magistrate judge's findings and those findings will not be reversed by this Court because they are not clearly erroneous. See Blake, 888 F.2d at 798.