Opinion ID: 1154942
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: subordination of the military to the civil authority

Text: Valdobinos argues the use of the National Guard violated the Washington State Constitution because the military must at all times be subordinate to the civil authority. Const. art. 1, § 18. [5] The argument is without merit on these facts because there was no showing below that the Guard was not at all relevant times under the control of, and supervised by, local police authorities. The National Guardsman who found the cocaine testified that his services were requested by the Okanogan County Sheriff, and he and the other Guard members acted in subordination to, and support of, the sheriff. The Guard members entered the home only after law enforcement officers had secured it and directed them to enter. It is uncontested that a law enforcement officer was present and supervising the Guard members as they searched the home. Valdobinos's argument therefore fails.