Opinion ID: 2058692
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: V.R.Cr.P. 41(c) governs the issuance of a search warrant upon a finding of probable cause:

Text: The finding of probable cause shall be based upon substantial evidence, which may be hearsay in whole or in part, provided there is a substantial basis for believing the source of the hearsay to be credible and for believing that there is factual basis for the information furnished. Probable cause is found where the information provided the judicial officer would persuade a person of reasonable caution that `a crime has been or is being committed and that evidence of that crime will be found in the place to be searched.' State v. Ballou, 148 Vt. 427, 433-34, 535 A.2d 1280, 1284 (1987) (quoting State v. Howe, 136 Vt. 53, 61, 386 A.2d 1125, 1130 (1978)). The critical inquiry for the magistrate authorizing the warrant was whether, taking the information as true, marijuana or indicia of its use or sale would more likely than not be found at defendant's residence. [2] In addition, to the extent the warrant relied on the hearsay evidence of Holl and Coolidge, that evidence had to satisfy the credibility and factual basis prongs of Rule 41(c). Ballou, 148 Vt. at 434, 535 A.2d at 1284. Defendant's challenge to the validity of the warrant rests on two premises. First, the marijuana found growing in pails was not on defendant's land and, second, there was no showing that Holl and Coolidge were credible informants. The sole fact that the marijuana was found on land adjacent to defendant's does not, of course, give rise to probable cause to believe that marijuana would be found at defendant's residence. Coupled with all the facts presented to the magistrate, however, there is ample reason to objectively conclude otherwise. The presence of the marijuana near defendant's land, observed by the affiants, the remark to Errington about smoking marijuana, and Errington's knowledge of defendant's parole status [3] together were sufficient to justify the issuance of the warrant. Defendant's second point, lack of support for the credibility of Holl and Coolidge, is likewise unpersuasive. It is true that the trial court did not know anything more about the background and circumstances of these two men than that Holl owned land next to defendant and Coolidge was acquainted with Holl. Yet, when their story (corroborated by each other) is compared to what the police officers learned and knew about defendant, their credibility rings true in this particular case. See id. at 435, 535 A.2d at 1284. Holl and Coolidge said they found marijuana growing in containers on Holl's land near defendant's residence. It was. They said defendant accused them of taking his marijuana while he threatened them with a gun. An officer heard a gun being fired at defendant's residence, knew defendant had been convicted of marijuana possession, and had even heard defendant recently admit to occasional use of marijuana. A short walk away from the place of cultivation were defendant's five guard dogs and ample places to conceal the drug. Finally, some of the marijuana found by Holl had been recently harvested, as evidenced by the stumps of the plants, further corroborating the information related by Holl. The credibility of the informants was adequately supported on this record and met the test of V.R.Cr.P. 41(c). Defendant contends that Chapter I, Article 11 of the Vermont Constitution provides greater protection than the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. We need not address this issue since defendant does not argue that the applicable provision of the Vermont Constitution is more stringent than V.R.Cr.P. 41(c). See Ballou, 148 Vt. at 433 n. 1, 535 A.2d at 1283 n. 1. Affirmed.