Opinion ID: 2174398
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: trial court's disallowance of evidence of acquittal.

Text: The trial court instructed the jury: Trial Court's Instruction No. 9 In a false arrest case, such as this one, the guilt or innocence of the party who is arrested is not relevant. In reaching your decision in this case, you are not to concern yourself with whether [Darrow] was eventually found not guilty or guilty of the alleged offense of obstructing a law enforcement officer for which [Darrow] was arrested by [Schumacher]. Darrow objected to this instruction. The tort of false imprisonment involves an unlawful detention or restraint of a person against his or her will. Tredway v. Birks, 59 S.D. 649, 652, 242 N.W. 590, 591 (1932); 32 Am.Jur.2d False Imprisonment § 5 (1982). Accord California Jury Instructions-Civil § 7.61 (1986). An action for false imprisonment cannot be maintained if the imprisonment was under legal authority. Tredway, 59 S.D. at 653, 242 N.W. at 591; 32 Am.Jur.2d at § 96. Obstructing a law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of his duties is a class 1 misdemeanor. SDCL 22-11-6. SDCL 23A-3-2 provides: A law enforcement officer may, without a warrant, arrest a person: (1) For a public offense, other than a petty offense, committed or attempted in his presence; or (2) Upon probable cause that a felony or Class 1 misdemeanor has been committed and the person arrested committed it, although not in the officer's presence. Thus, [t]he real issue is whether ... there was probable cause for [the plaintiff's arrest]... It does not depend on the actual state of the case in point of fact, but upon the honest and reasonable belief of the party.... The want of probable cause is essential[.] Richardson v. Dybedahl ( Richardson II ), 14 S.D. 126, 131-32, 84 N.W. 486, 487 (1900); Accord 32 Am.Jur.2d § 99. The probable cause which will justify an arrest need not be constitutional probable cause, rather it is sufficient if the facts would lead a reasonable person to believe a crime has been committed, regardless of whether the party is later found innocent. Id. Accord Richardson II, 84 N.W. at 487. Finally, liability for false imprisonment is unaffected by the truth of the matter charged and upon which an arrest has been made. 32 Am.Jur.2d § 100. Thus, the fact Darrow was not tried on the original charge of interfering with a police officer and was subsequently acquitted on the charge of disorderly conduct is not relevant. Id. The trial court correctly instructed the jury. We affirm. MILLER, C.J., and AMUNDSON, J., concur. SABERS and HENDERSON, JJ., concur in part and dissent in part.