State v. Viard

This is a search and seizure case. A confidential informant made a controlled buy of drugs at the residence of respondents, William Viard, Sr., and Bonnie Cox Viard. The resi dence was searched, pursuant to a warrant, and a quantity of drugs seized. Respondents moved for and were granted a motion to suppress the drugs. We reverse.

The trial judge held the affidavit supporting the search warrant did not contain information about the informant’s reliability and failed to set forth sufficient underlying facts to enable the magistrate to make an independent finding of probable cause. The State…