Opinion ID: 1990001
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Propriety of Search Warrant

Text: Pilot claims the warrant issued for the search of his apartment was not supported by probable cause and therefore the evidence gathered in the search must be suppressed. When a search is conducted pursuant to consent however, neither probable cause nor a warrant is required. See State v. Hanley, 363 N.W.2d 735, 738 (Minn.1985). Consent need not come from the defendant but may be given by another party who possesses `common authority over or other sufficient relationship to the premises or effects sought to be inspected.' Id. (emphasis deleted) (citing United States v. Matlock, 415 U.S. 164, 171, 94 S.Ct. 988, 39 L.Ed.2d 242 (1974)). At trial, K.M., who was H.T.'s best friend and Pilot's roommate at the time the search was conducted, acknowledged that she gave consent to the search. Where consent to search a dwelling from a person possessing common authority over the dwelling is obtained, a search warrant is not needed. Accordingly, we hold that the police were legally authorized to search Pilot's apartment.