Opinion ID: 2455559
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Jensens' Right to Be Free from Unreasonable Seizures

Text: ¶ 98 The Jensens' final claim is that their rights under article I, section 14 to be free from unreasonable seizure were violated when Mr. Jensen was arrested in Idaho in August 2003 and when both parents were booked and released in Utah in September 2003. This court has recognized that while article I, section 14 and the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution have identical language, we will not hesitate to give the Utah Constitution a different construction where doing so will more appropriately protect the rights of this state's citizens. State v. DeBooy, 2000 UT 32, ¶ 12, 996 P.2d 546. But we have also stated that, [u]nder both constitutions, the general rule is that [unless] `specific and articulable facts. . . taken together with rational inference from those facts . . . reasonably warrant' the particular intrusion, the intrusion is unconstitutional. Id. ¶ 13 (third alteration in original) (quoting Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 21, 88 S.Ct. 1868, 20 L.Ed.2d 889 (1968)). Therefore, it cannot be a flagrant violation of article I, section 14 if there was a reasonable basis to warrant the particular intrusion or, in other words, if there was probable cause for an arrest. ¶ 99 The Jensens contend that Mr. Jensen's seizure was unreasonable because it resulted from culpable material misrepresentations. But Mr. Jensen was arrested only after the Jensens violated the juvenile court order that required the Jensens to begin chemotherapy by August 8. With respect to defendant Dr. Wagner, the alleged seizure took place after he left Primary Children's and was succeeded by Dr. Albritton. In fact, there is no evidence that Dr. Wagner had any involvement in the procurement of the warrant that led to the arrest of Mr. Jensen. Therefore, Dr. Wagner could not have committed a flagrant violation of Mr. Jensen's rights under article I, section 14. ¶ 100 Ms. Cunningham did have some involvement in the events leading to Mr. Jensen's arrest. She signed an affidavit supporting the Application to Take a Child into Protective Custody after the Jensens missed the deadline for Parker to begin chemotherapy. Additionally, she informed the district attorney of the inability to serve the court issued warrant on the Jensens because they had left the state. This resulted in criminal charges against Mr. and Mrs. Jensen and the subsequent arrest of Mr. Jensen. The fact remains, however, that Ms. Cunningham was doing nothing more than attempting to enforce a juvenile court order that the Jensens were violating. A direct violation of a court order is probable cause for an arrest or seizure and therefore is a reasonable intrusion of rights under the Utah constitution. See, e.g., UTAH CODE ANN. § 77-18-1(12)(b)(ii) (2008) (authorizing a warrant for the arrest of a probationer in violation of court ordered probation); Goings v. Elliot, No. C 08-2544 PJH, 2010 U.S. Dist. Lexis 26015, at -22 (N.D.Cal. Mar. 19, 2010) (holding that probable cause existed to arrest or detain plaintiff for violation of a court order). Because the Jensens were in direct violation of the juvenile court order, the actions taken by Ms. Cunningham to effectuate their arrest were supported by probable case. Thus, Ms. Cunningham's actions were reasonable and warranted the intrusion on the Jensens' constitutional rights under article I, section 14. ¶ 101 The Jensens also argue that they suffered an unreasonable noncustodial seizure in violation of article I, section 14. According to the Jensens, a noncustodial seizure is one that results from state-imposed conditions that significantly, but not physically, restrict liberty. This court has never recognized that our Constitution guarantees a right to be free from unreasonable noncustodial seizure. As such, the right is not clearly established. ¶ 102 The Jensens nonetheless contend that the following is evidence of a flagrant violation of their purported right: They were unable to return to their home state without threat of arrest and removal of Parker; they were unable to take Parker for an evaluation in Houston, or to other physicians of their choosing; they were subjected to mandatory court appearances; they were ordered to give up their passports; Mr. Jensen lost his job; and, finally, they were subjected to media scrutiny and public ridicule. The Jensens claim that all of this amounts to such a significant restriction of their liberty that it constitutes a violation of their state constitutional rights. ¶ 103 We have already concluded that the defendants' conduct was motivated by a legitimate concern for Parker's life. Thus, in the absence of any precedent suggesting such an expansive reading of article I, section 14, we cannot conclude that the defendants' conduct constitutes a flagrant violation of the Jensens' rights.