Court Opinion

ID: 9569893
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 20:18:24.200853+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:04:14.103532
License: Public Domain

SOSA, Justice (dissenting). I feel that in the instant case the police failed to show the requisite exigent circumstances necessary to enter a house without identifying themselves and announcing their purpose. State v. Baca, 87 N.M. 12, 528 P.2d 656 (Ct.App.1974). First, it is my opinion that exigent circumstances can only manifest themselves at the time the officers appear for the search and should be judged by what a reasonable prudent officer sees and hears at that time. Exigent circumstances cannot be alleged in an affidavit by a “reliable informant”. Second, after the officers had arrived at the house in the instant case, the circumstances they encountered there fell short of the requisite exigent circumstances necessary to enter that house without identifying themselves and announcing their purpose. Officer Florio testified that Detective Montoya knocked, said “police officers”, and immediately forced the door open and entered. Officer Dwyer testified that he did not hear anything specific to cause concern prior to their entry, that Montoya’s knock was not even as loud as a polite knock, and that he did not recall anyone making an announcement or identification. Officer Erickson testified that the voices he had heard coming from inside were children’s voices and that he did not remember any statements or announcements made by them prior to bursting into the house. The constitutional right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, I feel, were clearly violated in the instant case. Thus, I would concur in the Court of Appeals’ opinion in State v. Sanchez, 88 N.M. 378, 540 P.2d 858 (1975), and would affirm that decision.