State v. Wise

434 So. 2d 1308
CourtLouisiana Court of Appeal
DecidedJune 29, 1983
DocketCR 82-695
StatusPublished
Cited by11 cases

This text of 434 So. 2d 1308 (State v. Wise) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Louisiana Court of Appeal primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Wise, 434 So. 2d 1308 (La. Ct. App. 1983).

Opinion

434 So.2d 1308 (1983)

STATE of Louisiana, Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
Austin B. WISE, Defendant-Appellant.

No. CR 82-695.

Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Third Circuit.

June 29, 1983.

*1309 Alvin B. King, Lake Charles, for defendant-appellant.

Leonard K. Knapp, Jr., Dist. Atty., and Charles Richard, Asst. Dist. Atty., Lake Charles, for plaintiff-appellee.

*1310 Before STOKER, DOUCET and KNOLL, JJ.

KNOLL, Judge.

The defendant, Austin B. Wise, was charged by bill of information with three counts of possession of firearms which had not been registered or transferred. LSA-R.S. 40:1785. The defendant waived his right to a jury trial and elected to be tried by judge. The trial judge found the defendant guilty on count one and not guilty on count two; the State entered a nolle prosequi on the third count. The trial court sentenced the defendant to 2½ years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections and imposed a fine of $1,000 plus costs; in default of payment of the fine, he was to serve an additional 6 months in the Calcasieu Parish Jail.

The defendant has appealed alleging seven assignments of error by the trial court:

1. In denying the defendant's motion to suppress all evidence seized as a result of the search warrant for lack of probable cause;
2. In denying the defendant's motion to suppress all evidence seized on the grounds of failure to follow the mandate of LSA-C.Cr.P. Art. 166 and the Louisiana and Federal Constitutions by failing to timely leave a receipt;
3. In denying the defendant's motion for acquittal;
4. In granting the State's motion to reopen its case after it had rested;
5. In denying the defendant's request for a continuance (recess) after allowing the State to reopen its case;
6. In denying the defendant's motions for mistrial; and
7. In finding the defendant guilty.

FACTS

Following a lengthy undercover investigation of illegal drug activity in the Vinton area, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office obtained a search warrant on January 19, 1981, to search the residence of Austin Wise and his daughter, Tammy Wise. The warrant authorized a search for a quantity of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, and other drug paraphernalia used in selling drugs. The search was conducted on the same day that the warrant was issued at approximately 8:00 p.m.

The defendant was arrested immediately by the officers upon their entrance into the house pursuant to a warrant for his arrest. At the time of the execution of the search warrant the defendant, his daughter, and mother, and an infant were present. The search yielded a twelve gauge shotgun with a fifteen inch barrel located in the defendant's bedroom; other weapons and illegal substances were found in other parts of the house.

Prior to the State opening its case, the defendant filed a motion to suppress all items seized pursuant to the search warrant. He contended that the search warrant lacked probable cause because of the lapse of time between the narcotics sale (October 13, 1980) and the date of the warrant (January 19, 1981). The trial court found probable cause for the issuance of the warrant existed and denied the motion.

During the course of the trial the defendant filed a second motion to suppress alleging that the police officers had failed to follow the mandates of LSA-C.Cr.P. Art. 166 and the federal and state constitutions. He contended that his rights had been violated because two days elapsed before he was given a receipt for the seized items. The trial court denied the motion.

After the State rested its case in chief, the defendant moved for an acquittal. The defendant contended that the State failed to prove that he had actual or constructive possession of an illegal weapon. The trial court denied the motion.

Before the defendant presented his case, he requested a recess to examine the serviceability of the shotgun. Subsequent to the recess the court allowed the State to reopen its case before the defendant commenced his presentation. The defendant objected to the reopening of the State's case alleging that he would be prejudiced. The court overruled the objection. The defendant then requested a continuance which *1311 was also denied. The State presented photographs of the house and recalled two officers to show where the guns were found in the house. The State also called a firearm instructor who had accompanied defense counsel to check the serviceability of the gun.

After the State finally rested its case the defendant again requested a continuance. The trial court denied the request but granted a fifteen minute recess. After the recess the defendant moved for a mistrial on the grounds of prejudice and that the reopening of the State's case was a legal defect. The motion for a mistrial was denied.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NUMBER ONE

The defendant alleges that the trial judge lacked probable cause for the issuance of the search warrant on the grounds that the information contained in the affidavit was stale.

LSA-C.Cr.P. Art. 162 provides that a search warrant may issue only upon probable cause established to the satisfaction of the judge, by the affidavit of a credible person, reciting facts establishing the cause for issuance of the warrant. State v. Johnson, 408 So.2d 1280 (La.1982). Probable cause exists when the facts and circumstances within the affiant's knowledge, and of which he has reasonably trustworthy information, are sufficient to support a reasonable belief that an offense has been committed and that evidence or contraband may be found at the place to be searched. State v. Boksham, 370 So.2d 491 (La.1979).

The term probable cause implies that the magistrate and the officers seeking the magistrate's approval for the search are dealing in probabilities. State v. Ogden, 391 So.2d 434 (La.1980). These are not technical; they are factual and practical considerations of everyday life upon which reasonable and prudent men, not technicians, act. Brinegar v. United States, 338 U.S. 160, 69 S.Ct. 1302, 93 L.Ed. 1879 (1949). A magistrate's determination of probable cause should be accorded great deference by a reviewing court and the reviewing court should merely determine whether there was substantial basis for the magistrate's determination. Ogden, supra.

In determining whether there is probable cause for the issuance of a search warrant a reasonable belief must exist that the contraband or evidence will not be disposed of but will remain at the place to be searched at the time of the proposed search. State v. Boneventure, 374 So.2d 1238 (La. 1979); State v. Bruno, 427 So.2d 1174 (La. 1983). In Ogden, supra the court stated:

"As to the issue of whether the passage of time rendered the facts supporting probable cause so attenuated as to defeat the inference that the objects sought may still be found on the premises, that determination depends on the facts and circumstances of each case. State v. Gilbert, 354 So.2d 508 (La.1978); State v. Thompson, 354 So.2d 513 (La.1978). Whether an object from its nature can be expected to be retained on the premises and whether the evidence indicates that the course of conduct is continuing are important factors to consider. See State v. Gilbert, above; State v.

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Bluebook (online)
434 So. 2d 1308, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-wise-lactapp-1983.