Court Makes Homes Safer from Search

From The Indianapolis Times, Tuesday, December 1, 1925:  Marion County Criminal Court Judge James A. Collins ruled today that search warrants must be issued only on facts.  In his ruling, Judge Collins said an officer, in order to obtain a search warrant, must not merely state that the law is being violated, but must provide facts to the court from which the judge issuing the warrant may determine the existence of probable cause.  The opinion was given quashing an affidavit for a search warrant issued by Wayne Township Justice of the Peace Henry Spiher in the case of Ed Thomas who was charged with violating the prohibition law.  Judge Collins also held that a search warrant legally issued by a justice of the peace is effective in any part of the county not just confined to the justice’s own township.

“Court Makes Homes Safer from Search,” The Indianapolis Times, 1 December 1925, p. 1:7