Court Opinion

ID: 9631666
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 10:46:01.767368+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:31:21.379737
License: Public Domain

OPINION BIVINS, Judge.  Convicted of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, contrary to NMSA 1978, Section 30-31-20(A)(3) (Cum.Supp. 1991), Defendant appeals raising the following issues: (1) whether the no-knock warrant was unlawful; (2) and, if unlawful, whether exigent circumstances existed at the time of execution that justified the officers’ entry; (3) whether the affidavit for the search warrant was facially insufficient; (4) whether the search warrant was overbroad or the search conducted was outside the scope of the warrant; (5) whether the trial court erred in denying Defendant’s motion for disclosure of the informants’ identities; (6) whether the trial court erred in joining Defendant’s case with co-defendant’s case; (7) whether the trial court erred in failing to declare a mistrial; or, alternatively, in failing to inform the jury that co-defendant had pled guilty to possession of heroin; and (8) whether the trial court erred in submitting to the jury only that evidence designated as relevant to Defendant. Other issues listed in the docketing statement but not briefed are deemed abandoned. See State v. Fish, 102 N.M. 775, 777, 701 P.2d 374, 376 (Ct.App.), cert. denied, 102 N.M. 734, 700 P.2d 197 (1985). We reverse on the fourth issue and remand for a new trial. Because we remand the action for a retrial, we find it necessary to also address issues one, two, three, and five. We need not address issues six, seven, or eight. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND After conducting an evidentiary hearing on Defendant’s Motion to Suppress, the trial court entered its order denying the Motion. In the order, the trial court found that a magistrate issued a no-knock search warrant on December 20, 1989; that while New Mexico Rules of Criminal Procedure for both magistrate and district courts contain specific rules for the issuance of search warrants, those rules neither prohibit nor authorize no-knock search warrants; that the officers executing the search warrant in this case neither knocked nor announced their presence prior to entry; that entry was made pursuant to the search warrant only after a child who opened the door through which one of the officers entered announced the presence of the police officers; and that the manner of execution of the search warrant did not violate Defendant’s rights under either the New Mexico or federal constitution. Based on those findings, the trial court concluded that a magistrate or a judge is not authorized to issue a no-knock search warrant; that the search warrant in this case was legally valid, but that the no-knock provision was of no consequence; and that the manner of execution of the warrant did not violate Defendant’s constitutional rights. We read the trial court’s conclusions to mean that, while determining that there is no authority to issue a no-knoek search warrant, in this case it had no significance because exigent circumstances justified the officers entering without first announcing their presence and purpose. 1. No-Knock Warrant Because the trial court concluded as a matter of law that a magistrate or judge has no authority to issue a no-knock search warrant, Defendant understandably briefed that issue. The State, however, chose not to brief that issue, placing its entire reliance on the existence of exigent circumstances to justify the avoidance of the “knock and announce” rule. Since the State has opted not to defend the adoption of the no-knock search warrant, we decline to consider that question in this appeal. We think it prudent to consider the validity of no-knoek search warrants on the particular facts and circumstances presented in a case where the issue is properly presented and when fully briefed by both sides. That was not done here. 2. Exigent Circumstances  While the Rules of Criminal Procedure both for the district and magistrate courts do not expressly require that law enforcement officers give notice of authority and purpose before making a forcible entry, see SCRA 1986, 5-211(C) and 6-208(D), common law imposes that requirement. See State v. Sanchez, 88 N.M. 402, 403, 540 P.2d 1291, 1292 (1975). See generally 2 Wayne R. LaFave, Search and Seizure § 4.8 (1987 & Supp.1992) [hereinafter Search and Seizure ] (generally required that officers give notice of authority and purpose prior to entry of premises with search warrant). Non-compliance with this standard is justified if exigent circumstances exist. State v. Valdez, 111 N.M. 438, 441, 806 P.2d 578, 581 (Ct.App.1990) (test for exigent circumstances is “ ‘whether, on the basis of the facts known to a prudent, cautious, trained officer, the officer could reasonably conclude that swift action was necessary’ ” (quoting State v. Copeland, 105 N.M. 27, 31, 727 P.2d 1342, 1346 (Ct.App.1986))), cert. denied, 111 N.M. 316, 805 P.2d 85 (1991). See generally 2 Search and Seizure, supra, § 4.8(d) (discussing destruction of evidence exception to knock and announce rule).  Questions regarding good faith belief and exigent circumstances are questions of fact for the trial court, and the trial court’s findings are given the same consideration as they are generally accorded under the substantial evidence standard. State v. Sanchez, 88 N.M. 402, 403, 540 P.2d 1291, 1292 (1975). The circumstances surrounding the entry without notice of authority and purpose must be evaluated from the standpoint of a “prudent, cautious and trained police officer.” Id. While the officers executing the warrant may rely on information obtained in advance of execution, we view the circumstances at the time of execution to determine if exigency exists. Cf. State v. Calvillo, 110 N.M. 114, 118, 792 P.2d 1157, 1161 (Ct.App.) (“The issue is not what the circumstances eventually show; it is whether, on the basis of facts known to a prudent, cautious, trained officer, the officer could reasonably conclude that swift action was necessary.”), cert. denied, 110 N.M. 72, 792 P.2d 49 (1990).  Based on information provided by confidential informants, a police officer (Lara) obtained a warrant to search co-defendant Jiminez’ residence, together with the vehicles of Defendant and co-defendant parked at that residence, and the occupants in the residence at the time the warrant was to be executed. Officer Lara testified at the suppression hearing that approximately six to eight officers participated in the execution of the warrant. Several officers arrived in a van clearly marked with the “Sheriff Department” name and insignia. Other officers arrived in either marked or unmarked vehicles. Officer Lara was wearing a raid jacket with an emblem on the front and “Sheriff’s Department” clearly written on the back. Other officers were either in plain clothes, uniform, or wearing similar raid jackets. The officers parked the van on the street near the driveway to the residence. Officer Lara and one or more officers proceeded toward the front door while several other officers went to the rear door. Officer Lara said that he observed several small children, ages five through seven, playing in the front yard. Upon arrival, he announced himself to the children as a police officer. One or more of the children started yelling “Cops! Cops!” with one child running from the yard through a screen door at the front entrance. Officer Lara followed in pursuit. Upon entering the front door, he observed Defendant make a dash toward the rear; however, other officers had entered through the rear door and apprehended him. When questioned as to the basis for the no-knock entry, Officer Lara testified that it was based upon his experience and the information received from the informants. Officer Lara said that fourteen years experience taught him that traffickers in small amounts of heroin or cocaine usually destroy the contraband when confronted by police. With respect to the information provided by the informants, Officer Lara said that one or more informants had told him that co-defendant Jiminez had said that he would attempt to destroy the evidence if he saw the police coming. That information was contained in the affidavit for the search warrant. Once the children ran screaming into the house, the trial court could reasonably determine that the occupants were alerted to the presence of the police, and the police were justified in assuming, based on their experience and information they had in this particular case, that evidence was about to be destroyed. Cf. United States v. Carter, 566 F.2d 1265, 1269 (5th Cir.) (where officer was “virtually certain” that persons inside knew of his presence and purpose making announcement would be a “useless gesture”), cert. denied, 436 U.S. 956, 98 S.Ct. 3069, 57 L.Ed.2d 1121 (1978); People v. Vargas, 36 Cal.App.3d 499, 111 Cal.Rptr. 745, 748 (1973) (strict compliance with announcement requirement excused where officers have reason to believe occupants already know purpose of entry); Commonwealth v. Beard, 501 Pa. 385, 461 A.2d 790, 792-93 (1983) (noncompliance with announcement requirement excused where police reasonably believe occupant knew purpose and would attempt to destroy evidence).  We believe the dissenting opinion not only errs in applying a subjective test to determine that exigent circumstances did not exist, but ignores the standard of review. For example, the dissent refers to Officer Lara’s testimony where he speculated that the children yelling “Cops! Cops!” was of no significance. If we were to apply a subjective standard, as the dissent seems to propose, then this testimony might be of value. This is not the test. The test is whether based on facts known to a prudent, cautious, trained officer, that officer could reasonably conclude that swift action was necessary. See Valdez, 111 N.M. at 441, 806 P.2d at 581; Sanchez, 88 N.M. at 403, 540 P.2d at 1292. As we have pointed out, Officer Lara, based on his experience, knew that traffickers in small amounts of heroin or cocaine usually destroyed the contraband when confronted by police, and an informant had said co-defendant promised to do just that. Based on those facts, coupled with the children’s yelling, the trial court could find swift action justified. With the officers’ presence already made known by the children’s actions, the court could find further announcement of presence and purpose unnecessary. When we view the evidence from the standpoint of whether evidence supports the trial court’s finding of exigent circumstances, we believe it does. An appellate court should not review to find evidence that would support a different result. In addition, the dissent appears to ignore the standard of review. This court has previously held that “the reviewing court views the evidence in the light most favorable to the initial factual determination, resolving all conflicts in the evidence and indulging all inferences in favor of the trial court’s factual determination.” See State v. Wisdom, 110 N.M. 772, 774, 800 P.2d 206, 208 (Ct.App.), cert. denied, 110 N.M. 749, 799 P.2d 1121 (1990). We, therefore, hold that the evidence supports a finding of exigent circumstances that would justify execution of a search warrant without the requirement of first knocking and announcing the purpose. 3. Sufficiency of Affidavit  Defendant contends that the affidavit did not meet the requirements of the two-pronged test set forth in State v. Cordova, 109 N.M. 211, 214, 784 P.2d 30, 33 (1989). The supreme court held that “an affidavit must set forth both: (1) a substantial basis for believing the informant; and (2) a substantial basis for concluding the informant gathered the information of illegal activity in a reliable fashion.” See also SCRA 1986, 5-211(E). The affidavit indicates that one of the informants had personally observed drugs at the residence and that the informant had in the past provided reliable information. See Cordova, 109 N.M. at 217-18, 784 P.2d at 36-37 (fact that informant had provided reliable information in the past is relevant to determination of credibility); Wisdom, 110 N.M. at 777, 800 P.2d at 211. In addition, there is evidence that a police officer had observed the informant drive to the residence and purchase heroin. We hold that there was sufficient information to authorize a search warrant of the residence. 4. Scope of Search Defendant also argues that the search warrant was overbroad in its authorization for a search of the occupants of the residence and vehicles parked at the residence. a. Search of Person  Defendant contends that the warrant was overbroad and was not supported by probable cause to search Defendant. We agree. In examining the affidavit, we are unable to find sufficient probable cause to support the issuance of a search warrant concerning Defendant. Irrespective of the scope of the warrant, however, it is possible that Defendant’s actions alone provided probable cause for his arrest and a search incident to his arrest. We remand for a determination by the trial court of whether there was independent probable cause to support a warrantless arrest of Defendant, and, if so, whether the search of Defendant’s person was sufficiently contemporaneous with his arrest to be upheld as a search “incident to” arrest. (i) Probable Cause Upon lawful entry into the residence, officers observed Defendant rise from the sofa and drop a package onto the sofa. This package was later determined to be marijuana. A vial of heroin was also found on the sofa where Defendant had been sitting. Cf. State v. Copeland, 105 N.M. 27, 31, 727 P.2d 1342, 1346 (Ct.App.) (“Probable cause exists when the facts and circumstances within the officers’ knowledge * * * are sufficient to warrant a [person] of reasonable caution to believe that an offense has been, or is being, committed.”), cert. denied, 104 N.M. 702, 726 P.2d 856 (1986). On remand, the trial court should determine whether the evidence supports a finding of probable cause to believe that Defendant had committed or was committing a criminal offense. If the trial court finds that there was independent probable cause to arrest Defendant, the court must then determine whether the search was “incident to” Defendant’s arrest. (ii) Incident to Arrest  We are unable to determine from the briefs or the record the precise time Defendant was placed under arrest and whether the search was sufficiently contemporaneous to the arrest to justify the search as being “incident to” the arrest. As long as the fruits of the search were not necessary to justify the arrest, the search is lawful “[w]here the formal arrest followed quickly on the heels of the challenged search.” Rawlings v. Kentucky, 448 U.S. 98, 111, 100 S.Ct. 2556, 2564, 65 L.Ed.2d 633 (1980); see also In re Doe, 89 N.M. 83, 85, 547 P.2d 566, 568 (Ct.App.) (where probable cause for arrest, search and seizure contemporaneous with, but before the arrest, was valid), cert. denied, 89 N.M. 206, 549 P.2d 284 (1976); State v. Garcia, 83 N.M. 490, 493, 493 P.2d 975, 978 (Ct.App.1971) (same), cert. denied, 83 N.M. 473, 493 P.2d 958 (1972). We remand for a determination of whether the search was valid as being “incident to” a lawful arrest. b. Search of Vehicle In addition to searching Defendant, the officers searched a ear parked at the residence in which they found balloons of a type used to transport heroin and a tape case with Defendant’s name on it containing marijuana seeds. Defendant contends that: (1) the warrant was overbroad and was not supported by probable cause; and (2) the search was invalid because the vehicle searched did not belong to Defendant.  The State argues that because Defendant failed to include this argument in his Motion to Suppress, he has failed to preserve the argument for appeal. We disagree. The committee commentary to Rule 5-212 of the New Mexico Rules of Criminal Procedure specifically states that the Rules “do not require motion objecting to illegally seized evidence prior to trial.” SCRA 1986, 5-212; see also State v. Alberico (No. 12,-368, slip op. at 3 n. 1) (Ct.App.1991). See generally 4 Search and Seizure, supra, § 11.1(a) (discussing split in jurisdictions between contemporaneous objection rule and requirement that objection be made at pretrial motion to suppress). Defendant adequately preserved the issue under Rule 12-216 of the New Mexico Rules of Appellate Procedure, SCRA 1986, 12-216, by objecting at trial to the evidence obtained from the search of the vehicle. The trial court overruled Defendant’s objection and admitted the evidence. Defendant contends that the warrant authorizing a search of “vehicle[ ] presently parked at the residence belonging to * * * Ray Ortega” was overbroad in that it failed to outline facts supporting probable cause to believe that there was heroin or distribution paraphernalia in the vehicle. We agree. In addition, even if the affidavit was supported by the requisite probable cause, the warrant was invalid because it did not describe the vehicle with sufficient particularity. The fact that Defendant did not own the vehicle searched is not necessarily fatal. For the search to be upheld, however, the warrant must contain sufficient correct descriptive facts to indicate the place to be searched. See U.S. Const, amend. IV (no warrants shall issue except those “particularly describing the place to be searched”). While make, model, year, color, owner, and license is not ordinarily required, some combination of details such as make and license are necessary to adequately apprise the officer of the vehicle to be searched. See, e.g., State v. Sansom, 112 N.M. 679, 680, 818 P.2d 880, 881 (Ct.App.1991) (affidavit described vehicle to be searched as a “1974 red and white GMC pickup truck with New Mexico license plate number LC8767”); State v. Donaldson, 100 N.M. 111, 118, 666 P.2d 1258, 1265 (Ct.App.) (affidavit describing vehicle as “ ‘Blue 1977 Volkswagen Scirrocco, NM License No. DED-915, Vehicle Identification No. 5372016198’ ”), cert. denied, 100 N.M. 53, 665 P.2d 809 (1983); State v. Lopez, 99 N.M. 791, 792, 664 P.2d 989, 990 (Ct.App.1982) (affidavit describing vehicle to be searched as a “ ‘Blue Chevy or GMC pickup, possible year 1967-1973, short wheel base with damage to the left front fender and headlight’ ”). See generally 2 Search and Seizure, supra, § 4.5(d); 1 Wayne R. LaFave & Jerold H. Israel, Criminal Procedure § 3.4(e), at 226 (1984 & Supp.1991). We hold that the warrant contained insufficient correct descriptive facts to uphold the search in this action.  Finally, the State contends that any error in admitting the evidence obtained from the vehicle was harmless error. We disagree. We cannot say that there is no “reasonable possibility that the evidence complained of might have contributed to the conviction.” Clark v. State, 112 N.M. 485, 487, 816 P.2d 1107, 1109 (1991); see also Sansom, 112 N.M. at 684, 818 P.2d at 885 (setting forth test for harmless error). We reverse and remand for a retrial without the use of evidence found in the vehicle in question. 5. Disclosure of Informants’ Identities Defendant contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion for disclosure of the identities of the confidential informants. We remand to the trial court for rehearing pursuant to SCRA 1986, 11-510(C)(2) within the guidelines set forth below. See State v. Perez, 102 N.M. 663, 667, 699 P.2d 136, 140 (Ct.App.1985) (balancing state’s interest in maintaining anonymity of informant to rights of defendant to fair trial). The State does not object to this disposition of the issue. There are three options for the trial court on remand. First, if the trial court finds that the informant knows of nothing helpful to the defense, then disclosure is not required. Second, if the trial court finds otherwise, then the trial court shall balance the appropriate interests under Rule 11 — 510(C)(2). If the interests against disclosure outweigh the probative force of the matters known to the informant, then disclosure is not required. Third, if the probative force outweighs the interests against disclosure, then on retrial there shall be a disclosure of the informant’s identity. See State v. Gallegos, 96 N.M. 54, 57-58, 627 P.2d 1253, 1256-57 (Ct.App.1981) (factors to balance under Rule 11-510(C)(2)). CONCLUSION For the reasons stated, we reverse and remand for a new trial. See State v. Post, 109 N.M. 177, 181, 783 P.2d 487, 491 (Ct.App.1989) (“[Wjhen a trial court erroneously admits evidence that is excluded on appeal, and the remaining evidence is insufficient to support a verdict, double jeopardy does not preclude a retrial.”). IT IS SO ORDERED. FLORES, J., concurs. CHAVEZ, J., concurs in part and dissents in part.