Opinion ID: 2304352
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sierra's Probationary Status

Text: On February 5, 2007 (the day of the search), Sierra was on Level IV probation (home confinement). As one of the conditions of his supervision, Sierra acknowledged that he was subject to arrest and a search of [his] person, living quarters and/or vehicle without a warrant at any time by a probation/parole officer. Sierra also acknowledges that, as a probationer, he was required to [a]llow officers to enter [his] home or place of employment at any time they request. Probationers do not have the same liberties as ordinary citizens. [8] The special nature of probationary supervision justifies a departure from the usual warrant and probable cause requirements for searches, although a warrantless search of a probationer's home must still be reasonable. [9] The United States Supreme Court and this Court have held that a warrantless administrative search of a probationer's residence requires the probation officer to have reasonable suspicion or reasonable grounds for the search. [10] Reasonable suspicion exists where the totality of the circumstances indicates that the officer had a particularized and objective basis for suspecting legal wrongdoing. [11]