Opinion ID: 71441
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Search of Sarah Williams's Residence

Text: 26 Campbell argues that the search of Williams's house was illegal because consent was not properly obtained from the occupants. The Magistrate Judge held that Campbell had standing to challenge the search. Campbell argues that consent was not validly obtained because the arresting officers had stationed other officers around the perimeter of the house in order to prevent its occupants from leaving, thus effectively seizing the occupants prior to obtaining consent. 27 A warrantless search undertaken without probable cause is valid if conducted pursuant to consent. Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218, 219, 93 S.Ct. 2041, 2043, 36 L.Ed.2d 854 (1973). Consent is valid if obtained voluntarily. Id. at 222, 93 S.Ct. at 2045. [W]hether a consent to a search was in fact 'voluntary' or was the product of duress or coercion, express or implied, is a question of fact to be determined from the totality of all the circumstances. Id. at 227, 93 S.Ct. at 2047. One consideration is whether the police conduct would have communicated to a reasonable person that the person was not free to decline the officer[ ]'[s] request[ ] to search the house. See Florida v. Bostick, 501 U.S. 429, 439, 111 S.Ct. 2382, 2388, 115 L.Ed.2d 389 (1991). Appellant suggests that Williams consented to the search because she was already aware that the police had surrounded the house to prevent its occupants from leaving. The Magistrate Judge, however, determined from the facts that consent was given voluntarily. Williams opened the door voluntarily, was informed that she could refuse the search, signed a consent form, and was cooperative. When Williams later argued that consent was not voluntarily given, the Magistrate Judge found the testimony of the officers more persuasive and credible. 28 On appeal, the factual findings of a magistrate judge as to the credibility of witnesses will only be overturned if clearly erroneous. See Amadeo v. Zant, 486 U.S. 214, 215, 108 S.Ct. 1771, 1772, 100 L.Ed.2d 249 (1988). Based on the evidence before the court, it cannot be said that the magistrate's decision was clearly erroneous. Accordingly, Campbell is denied relief on this ground.