Coates v. United States

After a nonjury trial, appellant was found guilty of (a) receiving stolen property, and (b) possession of heroin. The only issue on appeal is whether the search warrant in this case issued by a Superior Court judge while physically in Maryland1 and later executed in the District of Columbia was valid.

Essentially, appellant contends a trial judge of the Superior Court has no authority to act in this manner outside the territorial limits of the jurisdiction in which he was appointed to serve. Appellant says, correctly, that this court has not previously decided the question.

This issue was…