Opinion ID: 201110
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Lack of Prior Judicial Approval

Text: 21 The district court cited no authority for its conclusion that the failure to obtain prior judicial approval for civilian assistance violates federal constitutional law. Appellants cite no authority on appeal. We have found none in our own research. In the absence of any authority, we will not improvise a rule that seems unnecessary in light of the overarching requirement that the use of civilians in the execution of a search must still meet the constitutional standard of reasonableness. With that requirement in mind, we echo the Sbordone court's cautionary note that it might be a better practice, if circumstances permit, for law enforcement officers to disclose to the magistrate that civilians will be involved in the execution of the search and for the warrant to indicate that the magistrate permitted this involvement. Such civilian involvement is certainly not the norm. Prior disclosure and approval of that involvement might avoid the type of challenges we have in this case. 22