Opinion ID: 1798464
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Showing of Probable Cause.

Text: The complaint in the case at bar contains a declaration of the expectant mother, pursuant to sec. 52.25, Stats., that she is pregnant with a child, which, when born is likely to be born out of wedlock and that the defendant above named is the father of said child. The record does not contain any further disclosure of additional information which may have been brought to the attention of the assistant corporation counsel who authorized the issuance of the warrant. The complaint was made by one who had direct knowledge of the facts. We believe that the unmarried mother's affidavit that the defendant was the father of the child with which she was then pregnant sets forth a sufficient basis for a finding of probable cause. This would not be true, however, if the complaint were made upon information and belief or if  the complaint purported to assert a crime which required a specific intent. As noted above, in Giordenello, at page 486, the court observed that a magistrate should not accept the mere conclusion of a complainant that a crime has been committed by the person whose arrest is sought. However, in a paternity complaint, the essential facts are that the woman is pregnant with a child which will be (or has been) born out of wedlock and that the defendant is the responsible male. More artfully, her complaint should have asserted the facts rather than her conclusion. We do not regard the distinction as constitutionally fatal in a paternity complaint.