Becker v. State

• Decision Date: 05 December 1928
• Docket Number: 25,188
• Citation: 164 N.E. 27,200 Ind. 397
• Parties: Becker v. State of Indiana
• Court: Indiana Supreme Court

164 N.E. 27

200 Ind. 397

Becker v. State of Indiana

No. 25,188

Supreme Court of Indiana

December 5, 1928

SEARCHES AND SEIZURES---Affidavit for Search Warrant---On Information and Belief---Evidence Inadmissible.---A search warrant issued on an affidavit made on information and belief, and without hearing any evidence as to probable cause, does not authorize a search, and evidence obtained while making a search thereunder is inadmissible.

From Vanderburgh Circuit Court; Charles P. Bock, Judge.

Valentine Becker was convicted of possessing intoxicating liquor, and he appeals.

Reversed.

Edward A. Lorch and William D. Hardy, for appellant.

Arthur L. Gilliom, Attorney-General, for the State.

OPINION

Martin, C. J.

The errors assigned in this appeal from a conviction of appellant on a charge of unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor, (under § 4, ch. 48, Acts 1925, § 2717 Burns 1926), present the question of the admissibility in evidence of liquor seized and information gained by officers while making a search of appellant's premises.

It appears from the record that the search warrant (issued under § 31, ch. 48, Acts 1925, § 2746 Burns 1926), by authority of which appellant's premises were searched, was issued without a sufficient showing that reasonable and probable cause for the search existed, either by a positive affidavit alleging facts or by a hearing of evidence by the issuing magistrate. The affidavit was upon information and belief and the magistrate heard no evidence. In such a case, under the rule established by Wallace v. State (1927), 199 Ind. 317, 157 N.E. 657, (Martin and Gemmill, JJ., dissenting), the evidence obtained by the search is inadmissible, and, upon the authority thereof, this judgment is reversed, with directions to grant appellant's motion for a new trial.