Court Opinion

ID: 9517534
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 00:19:56.363029+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:53:32.479427
License: Public Domain

SAND, Justice,
concurring specially.
While the majority opinion correctly identifies the United States Supreme Court case law on search and seizure which we are obligated to follow, I have reservations regarding the manner those principles of law have been applied to the facts of this case. The principal issue is whether or not probable cause existed for the search of the home and the seizure of the alleged marijuana. The opinion correctly points out that the statement by the informant does not disclose how the informant obtained the information, whether it was the result of personal observation, or whatever, and neither did the officer to whom the statement was given ask the informant the basis for his statement. While the statement may not provide probable cause for a search warrant, it is not false merely because it is a “bald assertion devoid of factual support.” According to the briefs, the record does not reflect that the statement was knowingly and intentionally given with reckless disregard for the truth. The statement may not be reliable or sufficient for a search warrant because it was inadequate and was not followed up with appropriate questions and the officer’s recollection was poor, but that does not make it false under the holding of Franks v. Delaware, cited in the majority opinion.
The majority opinion, in discussing the issue of probable cause, makes frequent reference in one'form or another to the contents of the informant’s statement, “Ed En-nis had 10 lbs. of Marijuana in his home on April 7, and has been selling Marijuana from this 10 lbs.” [Emphasis added.] This, without any qualification, may suggest that in establishing probable cause valid information must be submitted that marijuana is at a certain place and is being sold. If selling is an integral part of the rule of law the opinion tends to convey, then I must disagree because the opinion would be adding unnecessary criteria to the probable cause requirement. In my opinion, the sale or sales need not be established to justify *837the issuance of a search warrant for a controlled substance. Mere possession of marijuana, a controlled substance, in violation of NDCC § 19-03.1-23(3) is a crime. However, I agree that the statement by the informant does not disclose how or on what basis he acquired the information and as such the information is questionable and is legally inadequate to justify the issuance of a search warrant. If the informant had been properly questioned, it is possible that the informant may have had the necessary information and would have provided appropriate answers which would have made the information sufficient to justify a search warrant. But this was not done.