Opinion ID: 1870501
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Deputies Who Obtained the Search Warrant

Text: Deputies Joel Walters and David Franklin argue they are clothed in immunity; that the Barretts' challenge to the validity of the warrant was not supported by law; and that there was no connection between them and the damages that the Barretts allege. Walters and Franklin did present an affidavit of underlying facts and circumstances to a neutral magistrate and offered oral testimony to establish probable cause for the warrant. Our law does not require that the affidavit be attached to the warrant nor is it necessary to have Mrs. Barrett named in the warrant. The Barretts state no other evidence to establish a question of fact as to the validity of the warrant. The Barretts also failed to establish any connection between Walters and Franklin and the alleged damage to their property. Furthermore the action of the deputies in obtaining the search warrant was discretionary and not ministerial. As a matter of law these two deputies had qualified immunity and there exists no genuine issues of material fact as to their liability for the alleged damage to the Barretts' home. It is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that the Barretts can prove no set of facts to establish a claim for relief against Walters and Franklin. Summary judgment and the dismissal were properly entered in favor of them.