Opinion ID: 1331464
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Bring Me the Broomstick of the Witch of the West Then You'll Get Your Warrant!

Text: I am not convinced that the majority is fully aware of the impact of its decision to require warrants obtained pursuant to the West Virginia Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Act (hereinafter the Act), W. Va.Code ง 62-1D-1, et seq., before an informant records conversations or activities in the home of another will have upon law enforcement activities in this State. Unlike in Vermont and Pennsylvania, the jurisdictions relied upon by the majority to support its decision, West Virginia narrowly defines who may issue and seek such a warrant. Under West Virginia law, only members of the State Police, acting through a county prosecutor or duly appointed special prosecutor, may seek a warrant to authorize the in-home recording from one of only five judges. Pursuant to W. Va.Code ง 62-1D-8 (1987), the prosecuting attorney of any county or duly appointed special prosecutor may apply to one of the [five] designated circuit judges referred to in [W. Va.Code ง 62-1D-7] and such judge, in accordance with the provisions of [the Act] may grant an order authorizing the interception of wire, oral or electronic communication by an officer of the investigative or law-enforcement agency. To obtain an ex parte order authorizing such interception, the application must set forth the member of the State Police making the application and the officer authorizing the application. W. Va.Code ง 62-1D-11(a)(1) (1987). Moreover, the Act defines investigative or law-enforcement officer as a member or members of the Department of Public Safety [State Police] who is or are empowered by law to conduct investigations of or to make arrest for offenses enumerated under the Act. W. Va.Code ง 62-1D-2(g) (1987). Reading the Act in its entirety reveals that the State Police may make application through the county prosecutor or special prosecutor for a warrant authorizing the in-home recording of events by an informant, based upon probable cause, to one of five circuit court judges. The Act does not authorize a sheriff, sheriff's deputy or municipal police officer to seek such a warrant or to conduct surveillance pursuant to a duly issued warrant. Further, the Act does not permit any magistrate or the remaining 61 circuit court judges of this State to issue a warrant authorizing the informant's activity. By contrast, Vermont does not have a wiretapping act. Therefore, warrants to conduct in-home, one-party consent recording would come under law enforcement's normal procedures for obtaining a warrant. The Pennsylvania Wiretapping Act permits any investigative or law enforcement officer to obtain a such a warrant from the president judge, or his designee who shall also be a judge, of a court of common pleas. 18 Pa.C.S. ง 5704(2)(iv). Pennsylvania defines investigative or law enforcement officer as [a]ny officer of the United States, of another state or political subdivision thereof, or of the Commonwealth or political subdivision thereof, who is empowered by law to conduct investigations of or to make arrests for offenses enumerated in this chapter or an equivalent crime in another jurisdiction, and any attorney authorized by law to prosecute or participate in the prosecution of such offense. 18 Pa.C.S. ง 5702. [17] Thus, to the extent these states require warrants to permit a consensual informant to record conversations or activities inside a defendant's home, those warrant requirements do not restrict law enforcement's activities to the extent that the majority opinion in this matter restricts the investigation and prosecution of serious crimes. I fear the legitimate investigation of illegal drug activity has been severely hampered by the majority in this matter. Informants in drug crimes often have substantial issues which may impact their potential trial testimony โ be it credibility issues, intimidation, or fear of retaliation for their testimony. Recordings of an informant's interaction with the defendant provide the best evidence of what actually occurred โ evidence not subject to attack by intimidation or credibility issues. This evidence may perhaps now be forever lost as a result of the majority decision in this matter for there may be few opportunities to obtain the needed warrants. And if law enforcement now attempts to use a one-party consent wire to record illegal activity outside the home, a drug dealer now would need only to insist that the informant step inside the dealer's residence to complete the sale in order to blow the informant's cover, potentially jeopardizing his or her safety. Given the limited ability to obtain the warrant required by the majority under the Act, I fear this Court has sent the message to drug dealers throughout this State to simply go into your house, call it your home, conduct your illegal business there and law enforcement may not be able to easily stop you. [18]