Opinion ID: 1878549
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whether the search-warrant affidavit was based on sufficient probable cause.

Text: When reviewing the question whether officers had probable cause, this Court has stated: `Sufficient information must be presented to the magistrate to allow that official to determine probable cause; his action cannot be a mere ratification of the bare conclusions of others. In order to ensure that such an abdication of the magistrate's duty does not occur, courts must continue to conscientiously review the sufficiency of affidavits on which warrants are issued.' Crittenden v. State, 476 So.2d 632, 633-34 (Ala.1985) (quoting Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 239, 103 S.Ct. 2317, 76 L.Ed.2d 527 (1983) (emphasis omitted)). The affidavit supporting the warrant in this case presents significant information, not merely conclusory statements that [give] the magistrate virtually no basis at all for making a judgment regarding probable cause. Id. at 633. Agent Smith's affidavit provides a detailed description of the investigation leading to his belief that the weapon used in the Union Springs shooting would be found at Tyson's apartment. The affidavit provides sufficient information to allow the magistrate to make an independent determination as to the existence of probable cause. Therefore, we conclude that the warrant was based on probable cause.