Court Opinion

ID: 9673624
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 04:15:32.350516+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:23.199509
License: Public Domain

MADDOX, Justice
(dissenting).
The fourth amendment to the federal Constitution and Article 1, Section 5, of the Alabama Constitution speak only of “unreasonable” searches and seizures.
The majority treats Smith as a “person who merely comes onto those premises while the search is being conducted.” The majority says there is no probable cause to believe that Smith enjoyed “any relationship to the Carpenter apartment other than that of visitor.” I would not so characterize the accused, and require the police to eliminate every possibility but that of his presence for an illegal activity. I think that Smith’s presence at that apartment at that time of night was sufficient for the police to believe that he was there to participate in the criminal activity. As a matter of fact, it is unlawful to visit a place where illegal controlled substances are being used with knowledge of such use. Act No. 1407, § 507(b), Acts of Alabama, 1971, carried as Tit. 22, § 258(59). I believe the majority has slipped into error by dealing in “possibilities” rather than “probabilities.”
There are several facts which surrounded the seizure in this case which I feel are omitted from the majority opinion which would support probable cause. Each case cited by the majority, in my opinion, involved seizure under circumstances which differ materially from the facts here. These other facts and the distinguishing characteristics of the opinions cited by the majority have been pointed out to them.
I believe there is good authority to support the position which I have in this case, but since the case turns on the “reasonableness” or “unreasonableness” of the search, other cases are not all that helpful. These “search and seizure” cases go off in all directions and many are inconsistent. In short, I believe the officer acted “reasonably.” Of course, a majority thinks he acted “unreasonably.” Somewhere lies what is truth and right.
MERRILL, HARWOOD and McCALL, JJ., concur.