Opinion ID: 491580
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Massell's Consent to the Search

Text: 11 Although the lower court mistakenly held that Massell lacked standing to object to the legality of the search at trial, it was correct in finding that Massell consented to the search of the Navesink. The prosecutor has the burden of proving that the defendant consented to the search and that this consent was given freely and voluntarily, and was not mere acquiescence to a claim of lawful authority. Bumper v. North Carolina, 391 U.S. 543, 548-49, 88 S.Ct. 1788, 1791-92, 20 L.Ed.2d 797 (1968). 12 When determining whether the defendant freely consented to the search, the court must examine the totality of the circumstances. United States v. Sierra-Hernandez, 581 F.2d 760, 764 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 936, 99 S.Ct. 333, 58 L.Ed.2d 333 (1978). In this case, the Customs officials boarded the Navesink and Massell readily agreed to a search of the vessel. 4 Even when Customs officials pulled the ship out of the water, Massell did not object. He merely indicated concern that moving the boat might cause damage to her. (R. 10-394). Once the bottom became visible appellant stated now you've seen the bottom and you can put it back in the water now. (R. 10-394). 13 The trial judge's findings on the issue of consent to search will be overturned only if the reviewing court determines that they are clearly erroneous. United States v. Lemon, 550 F.2d 467, 472 (9th Cir.1977). In other words, if the lower court's account is plausible in light of the record viewed in its entirety, we may not reverse it, even if we would have weighed the evidence differently. Anderson v. Bessemer City, 470 U.S. 564, 105 S.Ct. 1504, 84 L.Ed.2d 518 (1985). 14 In this case, the lower court made a plausible finding based upon the evidence that Massell consented to the search of the vessel, even to the point of lifting the boat out of the water. Therefore, the court's decision that Massell consented to the search was not clearly erroneous.