Opinion ID: 781489
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Sufficiency of the Showing of Probable Cause

Text: 25 Celestine argues that the warrant was not supported by probable cause because the confidential informant's reliability was not sufficiently corroborated and the other facts set out in the affidavit are consistent with innocent conduct. An affidavit in support of a search warrant demonstrates probable cause if, under the totality of the circumstances, it reveals a fair probability that contraband or evidence of a crime will be found in a particular place. See Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 238, 103 S.Ct. 2317, 76 L.Ed.2d 527 (1983). A court must uphold a warrant if, under the totality of the circumstances, the magistrate had a substantial basis for concluding that probable cause existed. United States v. Schmidt, 947 F.2d 362, 371 (9th Cir.1991). 26 There was a sufficient basis for the magistrate to believe that a fair probability existed that evidence of drug crimes was present in the house, even if the government did not reveal information about the reliability of the unidentified source. Zavacky found evidence of marijuana on scissors in the trash, evidence of hydroponic culture, and evidence linking use of the residence to other suspected indoor marijuana growers. Although each piece of evidence in isolation might not suffice to demonstrate probable cause, together the evidence establishes an adequate basis to conclude that evidence of drug growing would be found in the house.