Opinion ID: 2639322
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Standard of Appellate Review of Probable Cause Determinations

Text: A trial court's legal conclusion of whether evidence meets the probable cause standard is reviewed de novo. Prior case law on the standard of appellate review of such probable cause determinations is admittedly muddled. Compare, e.g., State v. Perrone, 119 Wash.2d 538, 551, 834 P.2d 611 (1992) (applying a de novo standard as determination involves point of law); State v. Estorga, 60 Wash.App. 298, 304 n. 3, 803 P.2d 813 (1991) (We review de novo ... whether probable cause is established.); State v. White, 44 Wash.App. 215, 218-19, 720 P.2d 873 (1986) (seemingly applying de novo standard) with State v. Cole, 128 Wash.2d 262, 286, 906 P.2d 925 (1995) (applying an abuse of discretion standard); State v. Wilson, 97 Wash.App. 578, 584, 988 P.2d 463 (1999) (same); State v. Rakosky, 79 Wash.App. 229, 240, 901 P.2d 364 (1995) (same). A good example of the confusion is State v. Perez, 92 Wash.App. 1, 963 P.2d 881 (1998), where the Court of Appeals attempted to examine a warrant de novo, afford deference to magistrate's probable cause determination, and not defer to the magistrate if the facts fail to constitute probable cause. Perez, 92 Wash. App. at 4, 963 P.2d 881. However, controlling authority from our Court, as distinguished from the Court of Appeals, favors de novo review. Until recently federal case law on the standard of appellate review over probable cause determinations also remained blurred. However, the United States Supreme Court clarified the issue in 1996 in Ornelas v. United States, 517 U.S. 690, 695, 116 S.Ct. 1657, 134 L.Ed.2d 911 (1996). Ornelas distinguished between two types of determinations made at probable cause hearings. On the one hand, a court determines what qualifies as the historical facts in the case, i.e., the events leading up to the stop or search. Id. at 696, 116 S.Ct. 1657. This determination should be given due weight on appellate review. Id. at 699, 116 S.Ct. 1657. On the other hand, a court also determines whether these historical facts amount to probable cause. Id. at 696, 116 S.Ct. 1657. This latter determination is subject to de novo appellate review. Id. at 699, 116 S.Ct. 1657. The Court found de novo review of probable cause determinations serves to clarify legal principles, promotes a unitary system of law, and better aids law enforcement. See id. at 696-98, 116 S.Ct. 1657. Accordingly, unlike reviewing historical facts, the Court held determinations of ... probable cause should be reviewed de novo on appeal. Id. at 699, 116 S.Ct. 1657. The State fails to distinguish (or cite) Ornelas when it claims the abuse of discretion standard is the clear rule in Washington. Counsel cite abuse of discretion cases pertaining to Aguilar-Spinelli determinations of probable cause that are based on the credibility and reliability of confidential informants or anonymous tips, i.e., historical facts. See State's Resp. at 2-4 (Thorell) (citing Cole, 128 Wash.2d at 286, 906 P.2d 925; State v. Murray, 110 Wash.2d 706, 713, 757 P.2d 487 (1988); State v. Cord, 103 Wash.2d 361, 366, 693 P.2d 81 (1985); Wilson, 97 Wash.App. at 584-85, 988 P.2d 463; Rakosky, 79 Wash.App. at 240, 901 P.2d 364); State's Resp. at 19-20 (Thorell) (same); State's Resp. Br. at 11-13 (Petersen) (same). However in an Aguilar-Spinelli probable cause context the trial court or magistrate necessarily first must find whether the information from these tips is sufficiently competent to qualify as historical fact. See State v. Jackson, 102 Wash.2d 432, 436-43, 688 P.2d 136 (1984). Fact-finding on reliability and credibility is required. Id. On such matters it makes sense for a magistrate or trial judge to be afforded appropriate discretion on review. Id. However, as described later in Ornelas, once the court makes this factual determination, it then must decide the legal issue whether the qualifying information as a whole amounts to probable cause. As to this legal conclusion, de novo appellate review is necessary. Like the United States Supreme Court in Ornelas, we hold probable cause determinations in this consolidated case must be reviewed de novo. The only question is whether the evidence, or lack thereof, suffices to establish probable cause for an evidentiary hearing. The rule articulated in Ornelas controls.