King v. State

• Court: Arkansas Supreme Court
• Writing for the Court: HOLT
• Citation: King v. State, 262 Ark. 342, 557 S.W.2d 386 (Ark. 1977)
• Decision Date: 24 October 1977
• Docket Number: No. 2,No. CR77-130,CR77-130,2
• Parties: Everett Lawrence KING, Appellant, v. STATE of Arkansas, Appellee

Page 386

557 S.W.2d 386

262 Ark. 342

Everett Lawrence KING, Appellant, v. STATE of Arkansas, Appellee.

No. CR77-130.

Supreme Court of Arkansas, Division No. 2.

Oct. 24, 1977.

Rehearing Denied Dec. 5, 1977.

John Barry Baker, Public Defender, by Joe B. Reed, Springdale, Deputy Public Defender, Fayetteville, for appellant.

Bill Clinton, Atty. Gen., by Jackson M. Jones, Asst. Atty. Gen., Little Rock, for appellee.

HOLT, Justice.

Appellant was convicted by a jury of theft by receiving and his punishment was assessed at ten years' imprisonment. Appellant contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress evidence secured by a warrantless search. He asserts the search was unreasonable under the Federal Fourth Amendment and Art. 2, § 15, Ark.Const. (1874). In denying the motion to suppress, the court ruled the search was conducted pursuant to a valid consent. Appellant argues that a search warrant should have been obtained. However, "(i)t is equally well settled that one of the specifically established exceptions to the requirements of both a warrant and probable cause is a search that is conducted pursuant to consent." Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218, 93 S.Ct. 2041, 36 L.Ed.2d 854 (1973). Here as the owner and co-occupant of the premises, appellant's mother-in-law had the authority to and gave her consent to the warrantless search of her premises. Therefore, a search warrant was not required. See also Robinson v. State, 256 Ark. 675, 509 S.W.2d 808 (1974); and Asher & Bradford v. City of Little Rock, 248 Ark. 96, 449 S.W.2d 933 (1970). Rules of Crim. Proc., Rule 11.2(c)(1976); and U.S. v. Matlock, 415 U.S. 164, 169, 94 S.Ct. 988, 39 L.Ed.2d 242 (1973).

Even so, appellant contends that the state failed to prove that the consent of appellant's mother-in-law was voluntarily given because of the coercive nature of the confrontation. The voluntariness of consent to a search is a question of fact to be determined from the totality of the circumstances and the burden is on the state to prove that consent was voluntarily given by clear and positive proof. Harvey v. State, 261 Ark. ---, 545 S.W.2d 913 (1977); and White v. State, 261 Ark. ---, 545 S.W.2d 641 (1977). Here two nonuniformed law enforcement officers appeared at Mrs. Griggs' home at night where she was alone. An officer conducting the search testified that, upon arrival at her residence, he identified himself and the other officer without displaying their guns or force, told her that they had reason to believe that there was a stolen television set in the house, and asked if they could come in to look for it. She testified that she knew one of the officers and was not intimidated by them. Further, they did not force themselves on her, were congenial and "very, very nice." Her reaction to the officers' request was that if the television set was stolen, she did not want it and she did not "have a bit of objection to them coming in, you know, and getting it." Not only did Mrs. Griggs permit the officers to search her house, she voluntarily informed them that there were other items in the house, "some talkers (C.B. equipment) in the other room," which might be subject to seizure. As was stated in Williams v. State, 237 Ark. 569, 375 S.W.2d 375 (1964), where there is evidence, not only of waiver and consent, but also active participation in the search, as here, there is no merit to the contention that one's right against unreasonable searches and seizures was violated. Clearly the evidence here is amply sufficient to support the trial court's finding that the state sustained its burden of proving by clear and positive evidence that Mrs. Griggs' consent was not the result of coercion.

Neither can we agree with appellant's argument that his mother-in-law's consent was procured through the officer's friendship with her and, therefore, was involuntary. It appears Mrs. Griggs had not seen the officer but once since childhood and the officer made his purpose for being there known at the outset. Neither do we find merit in appellant's contention that his mother-in-law's inability to "read very good" vitiated her consent in view of the fact that the consent form was read and explained to Mrs. Griggs, who has an eighth grade education.

Appellant also questions whether or not Mrs. Griggs actually signed the consent form produced at the suppression hearing. She, herself, verified that her signature was authentic. However, she remembered signing the form in a different location than where her signature appeared. Both officers testified that her signature was in the same location as where she originally signed. This conflict in evidence was a question of fact for the court to resolve in determining the voluntariness of her consent.

Appellant next argues that his mother-in-law's consent was not voluntary because the officers "x'd" out a portion of the form relating to her right to know that any evidence found might be used against her at trial. The officers testified that they deleted that portion because it was inapplicable to her since the seized property was not to be used against her. We perceive no resulting prejudice to the appellant.

Appellant further argues that even if the consent was voluntarily given, the state should be required to prove a knowing and intelligent waiver and since Mrs. Griggs was not told of her right to refuse consent to the search, the search was invalid. However, a knowing and intelligent consent is not required by our Federal Constitution. In Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, supra, the court said:

There is a vast difference between those rights that protect a fair criminal trial and the rights guaranteed under the Fourth Amendment. Nothing either in the purpose behind requiring a 'knowing' and 'intelligent' waiver of trial rights, or in the practical application of such a requirement suggests that it ought to be extended to the constitutional guarantee against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Rather, knowledge of the right to refuse consent is only a factor to be considered in determining the voluntariness of consent and the state is not required to demonstrate such knowledge as a prerequisite to establishing a voluntary consent. United States v. Watson, 423 U.S. 411, 96 S.Ct. 820, 46 L.Ed.2d 598 (1976); and Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, supra. Even so, appellant urges that since each state has the power to impose higher standards on searches and seizures under its own laws or constitution than are required by our Federal Constitution, we should impose a greater standard than articulated in Schneckloth. In our view the Schneckloth standard of required proof in consent to search is adequate under the terms of our constitution. Art. 2, § 15, Ark.Const. (1874). Although it appears Mrs. Griggs was not verbally informed of her right to refuse consent, she signed a consent to search her premises and a waiver of her right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. She acknowledged that the consent and waiver form was read to her, she understood and signed it.

Appellant also argues that the search was rendered invalid by the officers' failure to give Mrs. Griggs a receipt listing the items seized as required by Rules of Crim.Proc., Rule 11.4 (1976). Here a copy of the consent form with a list of the items seized was given to appellant's wife. In the circumstances we perceive no prejudice is demonstrated.

Appellant next asserts that the court erred in overruling his motion to dismiss the charge of theft by receiving against him on the basis of former...