JAMES C. CHRISTIAN AND EDGAR MELI, APPELLANTS,
v.
STATE OF FLORIDA, APPELLEE; BEATRICE BRENNER, APPELLANT, V. STATE OF FLORIDA, APPELLEE; MARTHA CORROLA CHRISTIAN ET AL., APPELLANTS, V. STATE OF FLORIDA, APPELLEE
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Defendants convicted of lottery law violations appealed, challenging whether evidence seized by federal agents pursuant to a federal search warrant could be used in state prosecution. The court affirmed the convictions, holding that evidence lawfully seized by federal authorities pursuant to a valid federal search warrant is admissible in state criminal proceedings.
The court held that evidence obtained by lawful search made by virtue of a valid federal search warrant is admissible in state criminal proceedings. The trial court's finding that the search and seizure was lawful will not be disturbed, and no authority forbids state use of evidence procured by federal authorities pursuant to a federal search warrant.
“It is well settled that evidence obtained by lawful search made by virtue of a valid federal search warrant is admissible in a state criminal proceeding.”
Establishes the core holding that federal search warrant evidence is admissible in state prosecutions
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceIn April 1963, federal agents armed with a federal search warrant issued by a U.S. Commissioner entered premises, arrested the appellants, and seized …
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Appellants, defendants below, seek reversal of convictions by the Criminal Court of Record for lottery law violations.
The cases have been consolidated for purposes of appeal. In a lengthy brief appellants have raised and argued seventeen points on appeal, the majority of which deal with the question of the legality of a prosecution by state authorities in a state court based on evidence seized by federal *562agents pursuant to a federal search warrant. Briefly stated, the facts pertinent to this appeal are that in April, 1963, federal agents, armed with a federal search warrant issued by a U. S. Commissioner, entered certain premises, arrested the appellants and searched for and seized certain property. The federal authorities ultimately decided not to pursue criminal action against the appellants and turned the seized evidence over to the state. However, the federal authorities did prosecute a Libel of Information in the U. S. District Court, seeking to declare the property seized from the defendants herein forfeit to the United States for a breach of provisions of Title 26 U.S.C. § 7302.
After the state had filed its information appellant filed a complaint in federal court seeking to enjoin the federal agents from prosecuting, testifying, producing evidence or otherwise conducting proceedings directly or indirectly in the state action. This prayer was summarily denied and that case is on appeal to the U. S. Court of Appeals.
Appellants filed numerous motions below, one of which sought to suppress the evidence. The motion came on for hearing at which time testimony was taken and the search warrant admitted into evidence. The trial judge was' satisfied that the search and seizure was lawful and denied the motion. The affidavit upon which the warrant issued was subsequently entered into evidence as was the seized evidence.
All ten defendants were found guilty on counts II, III and IV, not guilty on counts I and V, with the exception that defendant James C. Christian was found guilty on count V.
We note here that counts III and IV of the information are misdemeanor counts. This opinion should in no way be construed as deciding the merits of the convictions on the misdemeanor counts. Those convictions are reviewable by the Circuit Court of Dade County, pursuant to Article V, §§ S and 6 of the Constitution of the State of Florida, F.S.A. ;1 and, under the authority of Rule 2.1, subd. a (5) (d), F.A.R., 31 F.S.A., this appeal, insofar as it is concerned with the misdemeanor convictions is transferred to the Circuit Court of Dade County by separate order.
We have carefully considered the law of search and seizure in light of the facts of this cas’e and make the following observations. The search, conducted by the federal authorities was found by the trial court to have been lawful. We find no reason to disturb that finding. We have found no authority that forbids state use of evidence procured by federal authorities, pursuant to a federal search warrant, based on an affidavit by a federal officer, in the furtherance of an investigation of a federal offense. In fact, the law of our state is to the contrary.2 “It is well settled that evidence obtained by lawful search made by virtue of a valid federal search warrant is admissible in a state criminal proceeding.”3
Reversible error not having been made to appear in any respect, the judgments and sentences stand affirmed.
Affirmed.
(concurring in part and dissenting in part).
I concur in’ all that is said relative to the merits of this decision. My only objection is to the transfer of a portion of the appeal to the circuit court. It is my view that Rule 2.1, subd. a(5) (d), F.A.R. does not authorize the transfer of a part of an appeal. The approval of such loose practice will permit an appeal to two courts by one notice of appeal.
TILLMAN PEARSON, Judge
(concurring in part and dissenting in part).
I concur in’ all that is said relative to the merits of this decision. My only objection is to the transfer of a portion of the appeal to the circuit court. It is my view that Rule 2.1, subd. a(5) (d), F.A.R. does not authorize the transfer of a part of an appeal. The approval of such loose practice will permit an appeal to two courts by one notice of appeal.
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State v. The Honorable Paul Baker, 248 So. 2d 468 (Fla. 1971)…in the exercise of their appellate jurisdiction. See F.A.R. 4.7. Accordingly, where an appeal which should be filed in the Circuit Court is filed in a higher court, a transfer to the proper Circuit Court would be appropriate. See Christian v. State, 176 So. 2d 561 (Fla.App.3rd 1965) (misdemeanor conviction appealed to First District Court of Appeal) ; Dresner v. City of Tallahassee, 134 So. 2d 228 (Fla.1961) (conviction of violation of municipal ordinance appealed to Supreme Court); Arvida Corporation v. City…
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Troise v. State, 177 So. 2d 24 (Fla. 3d DCA 1965)…der authority of Rule 2.1, subd. a(5) (d), Fla.App.Rules, 31 F.S.A., this appeal, insofar as it is-concerned with the misdemeanor conviction, is transferred to the Circuit Court of Dade County by separate order. See-Christian v. State, Fla.App.1965, 176 So. 2d 561 [Opinion filed June 22, 1965]. The judgment and sentence upon the; felony charge is affirmed. Affirmed.…
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Spina v. State, 186 So. 2d 808 (Fla. 3d DCA 1966)…appellate review by this court. Article V, §§ 5 and 6 of the Constitution of the State of Florida, F.S.A. provides that misdemeanor convictions from the criminal court of record are reviewable by the circuit court. Christian v. State, Fla.App.1965, 176 So. 2d 561. This appeal insofar as it is concerned with the misdemeanor conviction is transferred to the Circuit Court of Dade County by separate order.1 Finding no reversible error the judgment of conviction as to count 1 is affirmed. Affirmed. . Rule 2.1…
Previewing 3 of 9 citing cases — full citator treatment, depth of discussion, and citing context are member features.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceAuthorities Cited
- Sharon v. State, 156 So. 2d 677 (Fla. 3d DCA 1963)
- Reddick v. State, 104 So. 2d 413 (Fla. 1st DCA 1958)