Opinion ID: 2009182
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Prior adjudication

Text: Moulton argues that the Superior Court erred in its order dated September 2, 1983, that Moulton was not entitled to relitigate the search and seizure issues. The Superior Court justice concluded that: Since the present motion addresses the same search, the same evidence, and the same defendant and counsel, the fact that the defendant has been reindicted under a different theory of theft does not warrant a new hearing and order concerning the admissibility of the same evidence against him. On February 11, 1982, the Superior Court fully considered the arguments relating to the evidence obtained in the search at Belfast Dodge. In a separate proceeding between the same parties, collateral estoppel bars relitigation of issues that were actually litigated in the first proceeding. Restatement (Second) of Judgments § 27 (1982). This principle is unquestionably a part of the criminal law. Ashe v. Swenson, 397 U.S. 436, 442, 90 S.Ct. 1189, 1193, 25 L.Ed.2d 469 (1969); State v. Spearin, 463 A.2d 727, 729-30 (Me.1983) (applying Ashe ); see 21 Am.Jur.2d Criminal Law § 321 (1981). The fact that Moulton was reindicted on different theories of theft and additional charges of burglary and arson does not invalidate the prior order made when the State had indicted Moulton only for receiving stolen goods. These changes in the indictments did not prejudice Moulton's rights in seeking suppression of the fruits of the search and seizure. The charges Moulton faced at the time of the earlier hearing were sufficiently serious that he had every incentive to litigate at that hearing fully and vigorously. Parklane Hosiery v. Shore, 439 U.S. 322, 332, 99 S.Ct. 645, 652, 58 L.Ed.2d 552 (1979). The new charges did not change any of the issues that would be addressed if the Superior Court had given Moulton yet another suppression hearing. The search at Belfast Dodge was valid or invalid irrespective of the charges on which the State ultimately proceeds. As we discuss below, the probable cause and exigency issues must be resolved based upon facts known to the police at the time of the search. See State v. Fillion, 474 A.2d 187, 189 (Me.1984). On appeal, defendant's attack must concentrate upon the Superior Court's February 11, 1982, order denying his suppression motion.