Document: 378 U.S. 108 84 S.Ct. 1509 12 L.Ed.2d 723 Nick Alford AGUILAR, Petitioner,v.STATE OF TEXAS. No. 548. Argued March 25, 26, 1964. Decided June 15, Clyde W. Woody, Houston, Tex., for petitioner. Carl E. F. Dally, respondent. Mr. Justice GOLDBERG delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case presents questions concerning constitutional requirements obtaining a state search warrant. 2 Two Houston police officers applied to local Peace warrant narcotics in petitioner's home. In support their application, submitted an affidavit which, relevant part, recited that: 3 'Affiants have received reliable information from credible person and do believe that heroin, marijuana, barbiturates other narcotic paraphernalia are being kept at above described premises purpose sale use contrary provisions law.'1 4 The was issued. 5 executing warrant, police, along with federal officers, announced door they were Upon hearing commotion within house, forced way into house seized petitioner act attempting dispose packet narcotics. 6 At his trial court, petitioner, through attorney, objected introduction evidence obtained as result execution objections overru ed admitted. Petitioner convicted illegal possession heroin sentenced serve 20 years penitentiary.2 On appeal Texas Court Criminal Appeals, conviction affirmed, 172 Tex.Cr.R. 629, 362 S.W.2d 111, affirmance upheld on rehearing, 631, 112. We granted writ certiorari consider important involved. 375 812, 86, 11 48. 7 Ker v. California, 374 23, 83 1623, 10 726, we held Fourth 'Amendment's proscriptions enforced against States Fourteenth Amendment,' 'the standard reasonableness is same under Amendments.' Id., 33, 1630. Although involved without must certainly be read holding likewise 8 An evaluation constitutionality should begin rule informed deliberate determinations magistrates empowered issue warrants * preferred over hurried action who may happen make arrests.' United Lefkowitz, 285 452, 464, 52 420, 423, 76 L.Ed. 877: reasons this go foundations Amendment. A 'that sufficient magistrate's disinterested determination will justify making would reduce Amendment nullity leave people's homes secure only discretion officers.' Johnson States, 333 10, 14, 68 367, 369, 92 436. Under such 'resort (warrants) ultimately discouraged.' Jones 257, 270, 80 725, 736, 697. Thus, when based upon magistrate's, rather than officer's, probable cause, reviewing courts accept less 'judicially competent or persuasive character justified officer acting own warrant,' ibid., sustain judicial so long 'there substantial basis (the magistrate) conclude probably present *.' 271, 736. As well stated by Jackson: 9 'The point Amendment, which often not grasped zealous it denies law enforcement usual inferences reasonable men draw evidence. Its protection consists requiring those drawn neutral detached magistrate instead judged engaged competitive enterprise ferreting out crime.' supra, 13—14, 369 court pay deference still insist perform 'neutral detached' function merely rubber stamp police. Nathanson 290 41, 54 11, 78 159, issued sworn allegation affiant 'has cause suspect does believe' certain merchandise specified location. 44, 12. Court, noting 'went mere affirmation suspicio belief any statement adequate supporting facts,' id., 46, 13 (emphasis added), following rule: 'Under properly private dwelling unless he can find therefore facts circumstances presented him oath affirmation. Mere suspicion enough.' 47, 13. (Emphasis added.) Giordenello 357 480, 1245, 1503 similar relied here.3 Affiant swore 'did receive, conceal, etc., drugs knowledge unlawful importation 481, 1247. guiding principles be: 14 lead complaint '(must) complaint, then, enable appropriate determine whether 'probable cause' required exists. Commissioner judge himself persuasiveness complaining show cause. He question complainant's conclusion U.S., 486, S.Ct., 1250. 15 applying these case, 16 'it clear pass muster because provide Commissioner's existed. contains no affirmative spoke personal matters contained therein; indicate sources belief; set forth finding could made.' Ibid. 17 vice least great Giordenello. Here 'mere conclusion' possessed even himself; unidentified informant. here 'contains therein,' contain 'affirmative allegation' affiant's source 'spoke knowledge.' For all appears, suspected, believed concluded there possession.4 'judge cause.' necessarily accepted 'without question' informant's 'suspicion,' 'belief' conclusion.' 18 hearsay need reflect direct observations affiant, 697, some underlying informant where claimed were, informant, whose identity disclosed, see Rugendorf 376 528, 825, 'credible' 'reliable.'5 Otherwise, complaint' 'by magistrate,' Constitution requires, but instead, 'engaged crime,' 1250; or, 19 conclude, therefore, been did inadmissible trial. judgment Appeals reversed remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion. 21 Reversed remanded. 22 HARLAN, concurring. 23 But I voted affirm court. Given Ker, cannot escape tend 'relax standards derogation system *' (my concurring 45—46, 1646). Contrary what suggested dissenting my Brother CLARK (post, p. 118, note 1), laid down 1503, view requirements. Being unwilling relax prosecutions, concur 24 CLARK, whom BLACK STEWART join, dissenting. 25 First, based: About January 1, 1960, Officers Strickland Rogers division Police Department Aguilar had residence, 509 Pinckney Street, Texas; after receiving record indicates, surveillance about week. 26 8, two executed before justice peace alleged residence Street 'is place each reason (Aguilar) has therein thereof, unlawfully sold.' addition belief, included further 'have (petitioner's) law.' 27 strength affidavit, knocked Aguilar's house. Someone inside asked replied heard someone 'scuffle start run house.' entered pursued ran back bathroom. threw commode, retrieved flushed drain. I. 28 ground 'nothing more hearsay.' holds insufficient sets aside cases, neither controlling. 29 First 159 (1933). 'cause (did) merchandise' n described. There nothing Nathanson, either proof introduced trial, suggest brought suspicion. Accordingly, '(m)ere cases findings rest particular case. Aguilar, 'affirmance belief' 'reliable person' plus week's affiants. supplied.) is, apposite. 30 second relies (1958). 'Giordenello drugs, to-wit: hydrochloride MR. JUSTICE discussing Rules Federal Procedure, defect 'does Rule existed.' dissent commenting Court's invalid, said: strike directly extension 4.' 491, 1253. Since decided our supervisory powers (Rules Procedure), control here.1 said 726 (1963), demands compel us distinguish between prohibited Constitution.' 31 Even if rested Constitution, controlling significant differences cases. Here, allege i.e., kept' 'for takes entirely outside holding. stated, whereas one. thus shows meaning interpreted Draper 358 307, 79 329, 327 (1959), contended given hearsay. 'entirely error. Brinegar settled way.' 311, 332. year reaffirmed 697 (1960): 'We warrant.'2 Furthermore, dec ded Term, good informer seen furs Rugendorf's basement. 825. told actually 'kept seems hold says test reliability. submit it. officer's experience reliable. motion suppress Officer testified delayed getting week order 'set up statement, said, first information' 'some of' supported application totality pertinent validity See testimony Giordenello, 485, 1249, And, just verbally magistrate. confirmed State's brief, apparently gave belief. Hence far cry 'suspicion' belief.' It officers. 32 Courts approved affidavits one here. See, e.g., Eisner, 297 F.2d 595 (C.A.6th Cir.); Evans 242 534 Ramirez, 279 712, 715 (C.A.2d Cir.) (dictum); Meeks, 313 464 Cir.). denied 859, 82 947, 17, although '(i)nformation S. A. Clifford Anderson believes *,' 596, Evans, 353 976, 77 1059, 1137, man 'came headquarters liquor wished give F.2d, 535. 33 summary, wholly unsupported 'would condemnation,' Chief Marshall Locke Cranch 339, 348, 364 (1813). Taft Carroll 267 132, 162, 45 280, 288, 69 543 (1925): Probable exists officers') reasonably trustworthy (are) themselves caution that' offense committed. And Rutledge 338 160, 176, 1302, 1311, 93 1879 (1949): 34 'These long-prevailing seek safeguard citizens rash unreasonable interferences privacy unfounded charges crime. They also fair leeway enforcing community's protection. Because many situations confront course duties ambiguous, room allowed mis akes part. mistakes men, leading sensibly conclusions probability. practical, nontechnical conception affording best compromise found accommodating opposing interests. 35 Requiring unduly hamper enforcement. To allow law-abiding mercy officers' whim caprice.' 36 Believing substituted rigid, academic formula unrigid itself—a substitution technicality practicality—and believing obstruct administration criminal throughout country, respectfully dissent. reveal, nor claimed, attention Peace. elementary passing attention. 1250, C.J.S. Searches Seizures § 74, 872 (collecting cases). Government pointed 'had month prior arrest.' ignored evidence, since fact completely irrelevant for, mention surveillance. Moreover, 'we wanted If results appropriately magistrate, would, course, different indicted conspiring violate cotics laws. Act February 9, 1909, c. 100, Stat. 614, 2, amended, U.S.C. 174; Internal Revenue Code 1954, 7237(b), 7237(b). guilty jury. His codefendants convictions affirmed appeal. Garcia Cir., 315 679. construed requirement 'in light constitutional' implements. arrest language '* Warrants shall issue, applies warrants.' 485—486, Ex parte Burford, 448, 495; McGrain Daugherty, 273 135, 154—157, 47 319, 71 580. derived, power. Compare Jencks 657, 1007, 1103. guide approve open easy circumvention arrived someone's obtain convey another officer, then swearing 'received possession. Such sustained reads follows: 'Affidavit Support Commissioners Search Warrant Premises, 1436 Meridian Place, N.W., Washington, D.C., apartment 36, including window spaces apartment. Occupied Cecil Earline Richardson. 'In late afternoon Tuesday, August 20, 1957, I, Detective Thomas Didone, Jr. Richardson illicit traffic ready supply hand mentioned relates aforementioned persons person, pillow, dresser ledge goes relate occasions gone purchased nar- secreated (sic) places. last time 1957. 'Both familiar undersigned members Narcotic Squad. Both admitted display needle marks same. 'This information, regarding traffic, conducted Richardson, squad information. 'Because opening paragraph previous occasion correct, now 'Det. Jr., Narcotics Squad, MPDC. 'Subscribed me day August, 'James Splain, Commissioner, D.C.' 267—268, n. 734. Compare, Hernandez People, 385 P.2d 996, Supreme Colorado, accepting confession error State Attorney General, violated 'Before issuing official apprised P.2d, 999. BLACK, joined joins exacting detailed, might found, viz., 'on apartment.' detail adds reliability furnished. Likewise, occasion' 'which correct' substance affidavit.

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