Opinion ID: 1199986
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Application of the Miller Factors

Text: Application of the Miller factors plainly demonstrates that the prosecution did not meet its burden of sustaining the warrantless entry. First, the officers lacked probable cause to believe that a grave offense was taking place. Second, they had no reason to believe that Mendez was armed. Third, the offense they reasonably believed Mendez to be committing was non-jailable and subject only to a citation process. Fourth, they knew that a person within the room was committing that offense. Fifth, there was no likelihood here that the suspect would escape if not swiftly apprehended; the police had ample personnel to post at the door while one of their number sought a warrant from a judicial officer. Sixth, although the officers conducted themselves in a professional manner, they were operating contrary to the proscriptions of the statute defining and punishing the offense. Seventh, the warrantless entry, search, and seizure occurred at night. Eighth, had the police officers obtained a warrant, evidence of the offense would likely still be present, such as a pouch or packet from which Mendez withdrew the marijuana he was smoking, together with papers or an apparatus he was using, as well as any ash and lingering odor of burned marijuana. Thus, a totality of the circumstances analysis utilizing the Miller factors should prompt reversal of the trial court's order that allowed the prosecution to use the fruit of the illegal entry, search, and seizure of Mendez, his room, and his effects. [7] As Justice Jackson observed, It is to me a shocking proposition that private homes, even quarters in a tenement, may be indiscriminately invaded at the discretion of any suspicious police officer engaged in following up offenses that involve no violence or threats of it.... When an officer undertakes to act as his own magistrate, he ought to be in a position to justify it by pointing to some real immediate and serious consequences if he postponed action to get a warrant. Welsh, 466 U.S. 740, 751, 104 S.Ct. 2091, 80 L.Ed.2d 732 (quoting McDonald v. United States, 335 U.S. 451, 459-60, 69 S.Ct. 191, 93 L.Ed. 153 (1948) (Jackson, J., concurring)). II. Accordingly, I would reverse the judgment of the court of appeals in this case. I respectfully dissent.