Opinion ID: 2001774
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Motion To Suppress Evidence From Automobile.

Text: The standard of review on a motion to suppress is whether or not the trial court abused its discretion. State v. Almond, 511 N.W.2d 572, 574 (S.D.1994); State v. Johnson, 509 N.W.2d 681, 683 (S.D.1993). When consent to search is at issue, a question of fact, the trial court's findings will be affirmed unless they are clearly erroneous. Almond, 511 N.W.2d at 573; Johnson, 509 N.W.2d at 683. We must determine whether the trial court's findings are against the weight of the evidence. Id. The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article VI, § 11, of the South Dakota Constitution generally require a warrant based on probable cause in order to search a person or place. State v. Zachodni, 466 N.W.2d 624, 627 (S.D.1991). However, certain exceptions exist. For example, once a person consents to a search, probable cause is no longer necessary. Id. at 628. State has the burden to establish by clear and convincing evidence that the search was the result of free, intelligent, unequivocal and specific consent without any duress or coercion, actual or implied. Almond, 511 N.W.2d at 576. Stafford testified at the suppression hearing that he first observed McGarrett while McGarrett was sitting in his vehicle with the door open. Investigating the vandalism, Stafford approached the vehicle, shined his flashlight into the passenger compartment and noticed a pipe covered with glass particles. Stafford then asked McGarrett to consent to a search of the car. Stafford testified that McGarrett gave consent, telling him to go ahead because the car was not his. Contrary to Stafford's testimony, McGarrett testified that he at no time consented to a search of the car. He acknowledges the police asked for his consent twice, but said he declined both times. McGarrett further argues the police made no effort to obtain consent from Surrell or discover the identity of the true owner of the car. Consequently, he concludes the .22-caliber pistol should be suppressed. We disagree. This court in Zachodni, 466 N.W.2d at 628, stated that a search may be valid when police erroneously but `reasonably ... believe that the person who has consented' to the search possesses authority to do so. Id. (quoting Illinois v. Rodriguez, 497 U.S. 177, 186, 110 S.Ct. 2793, 2800, 111 L.Ed.2d 148, 160 (1990)). Courts in other jurisdictions have likewise held that drivers of vehicles can validly authorize searches. Pupo v. State, 187 Ga.App. 765, 371 S.E.2d 219, 222 (1988); People v. Harris, 199 Ill.App.3d 1008, 146 Ill.Dec. 90, 93, 557 N.E.2d 1277, 1280 (1990). In Harris, the court stated: A driver of a car has the authority to consent to a search of that car because he is the person having immediate possession and control of the vehicle. (Citations omitted.) As the driver, he has joint access and control over the entire vehicle[.] 3 W.LaFave, Search & Seizure § 8.6(a), at 316 (2d ed. 1987) (citations omitted.) A nonowning driver, of course, is limited in his authority to those parts over which he has been given access, and not over other parts which he has been restricted from accessing. Harris, 146 Ill.Dec. at 93, 557 N.E.2d at 1280. McGarrett had exclusive control over and was the sole occupant of the vehicle when it was sitting in the bar parking lot. We have stated the finder of fact is the exclusive judge of the credibility of witnesses. State v. Krebs, 504 N.W.2d 580, 585 (S.D.1993) (citing State v. Lingwall, 398 N.W.2d 745, 747 (S.D.1986)). Here, the trial court had an opportunity to hear testimony and make an evidentiary ruling based on that testimony. It is obvious that the trial court found Officer Stafford's testimony more credible in his claim that McGarrett consented to a search of the car at the Outer Limits than McGarrett's denial of the same. Therefore, we cannot say the trial court abused its discretion in denying McGarrett's motion to suppress. McGarrett further claims the second search of the vehicle at the impoundment lot was illegal, which he claims should result in the exclusion of the red sweatshirt and green sweatpants as evidence against him. The trial court rejected this argument and found that Surrell consented to that search. The facts support this finding and indicate that, after McGarrett told the police the vehicle belonged to Surrell, Detective Evans contacted Surrell at the motel. Surrell responded that he was indeed the owner of the vehicle and produced a bill of sale to verify his claim. He consented to the search, which lifted both warrant and probable cause requirements. Almond, 511 N.W.2d at 575; Zachodni, 466 N.W.2d at 628. We do not find the trial court abused its discretion in admitting this evidence.