Massachusetts v. Sheppard
Citation
468 U.S. 981 (1984)
Facts
An officer used a pre-printed search warrant form designed for controlled substances to search for evidence of a murder; the magistrate acknowledged the form was wrong but said he would make it work; the warrant was later found to be technically defective.
Issue
Whether the exclusionary rule requires suppression of evidence seized pursuant to a defective warrant when the officer reasonably relied on the magistrate’s assurance that the warrant was valid.
Holding
The Court held the evidence admissible because the officer acted in good faith, objectively reasonable reliance on the magistrate’s determination that the warrant was valid.
Rule
Good faith exception — the exclusionary rule does not apply when an officer acts in objectively reasonable reliance on a warrant issued by a magistrate, even if the warrant is later found defective; decided the same day as United States v. Leon.