Opinion ID: 2618245
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 46

Heading: Jail Cell Search

Text: Reilly, granted cocounsel status at trial, moved to dismiss because some legal papers in his cell had been viewed by jail officials during a lockdown and search. In a declaration accompanying the motion, Reilly states that he and others were forced to vacate their cells for 50 minutes. On his return, he found his legal papers strewn about his cell. He claimed this action by jail authorities violated his right to due process, equal protection, and self-representation. The trial judge informed Reilly that he had spoken with someone in the sheriff's department about the matter and asked Reilly, would you take my word for what he told me? Reilly replied, Sure. The judge then related that there was an emergency, that the sheriffs were looking for a suspect (who had since been found and placed in a discipline module) and that was the reason for the lockdown. The judge then asked Reilly, Were any of your private papers taken out of the cell, removed? Reilly said he was unsure. At this point, Lasting asked to have the witness testify to make a record documenting the circumstances of the lockdown. The judge replied, Just a moment. This is not your motion. It is Mr. Reilly's motion.... He has accepted my statement that the officer here checked with the [sergeant at the jail]. The judge then denied the motion. (55) Reilly now argues he was deprived of his rights under the federal Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments by the warrantless search of his jail cell. As the evidence shows, however, the search of his cell was made for reasons of institutional security, a concern that outweighs an inmate's right to privacy. ( Hudson v. Palmer (1984) 468 U.S. 517 [82 L.Ed.2d 393, 104 S.Ct. 3194]; People v. Burgener (1986) 41 Cal.3d 505, 530 [224 Cal. Rptr. 112, 714 P.2d 1251].) Reilly admitted he did not know if any of his papers were missing. Significantly, there was no evidence the search was instigated by the prosecutor, or otherwise designed to enhance the prosecution's case. (See United States v. Cohen (2nd Cir.1986) 796 F.2d 20, cert. den. 479 U.S. 854 [93 L.Ed.2d 122, 107 S.Ct. 189] [pretrial detainee may raise Fourth Amendment objection to jail search instigated by prosecutor].) Under these circumstances, we find no constitutional violation. [27]