Court Opinion

ID: 9456251
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 19:46:57.12322+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:34:54.414010
License: Public Domain

GODBOLD, Circuit Judge
(dissenting):
In my opinion this case has to be remanded for additional findings of fact.
The validity of the District Court’s order denying suppression of the identification number of the car depends upon two assumptions by that court: (1) that the number was obtained by the FBI agent from the car itself by a Johnson-type doorpost inspection and not from examining the suppressed California registration or from a generalized search of the ear; (2) that the “legitimate reason” supporting the presumed doorpost inspection consisted of the FBI agent’s having been told by local police that the plates on the car were registered to another car.
We need not guess that the District Judge made these assumptions. He wrote a memorandum opinion which affirmatively reveals that, lacking direct evidence of these vital links because the FBI agent did not testify on the motion to suppress hearing, he assumed them. Now this court, on appeal, disposes of the constitutional issues by accepting the assumptions as correct.
An evidentiary hearing can reveal quickly and easily whether the assumptions were correct. If they were, no harm was done. If they were not, the appellant has been convicted unconstitutionally.
I am, therefore, compelled to dissent.