Question: Police officers in Springfield, Missouri, develop probable cause ( based on a tip from a reliable informant and their corroboration of the information provided )
Police officers in Springfield, Missouri, develop probable cause based on a tip from a reliable informant and their corroboration of the information provided that Brett Garland is the leader of a motorcycle gang that has been burglarizing residences in the area and stealing computers, televisions, jewelry, and other valuable items. The police have probable cause to believe some of the stolen items are located in a rented storage unit. They obtain a search warrant for the storage unit that authorizes them to look for the various stolen items, including items as large as a inch television and as small as some rings and earrings. They execute the search warrant at the storage unit, but do not find any of the items listed in the search warrant. They do discover several plastic baggies containing marijuana, however. They seize the marijuana and then drive over to Brett Garland's house and knock on the door. When no one answers, they walk around the house to the garage, open the unlocked door, and look inside. They find a number of stolen items that were listed in the search warrant. They seize these items. Just then, Brett Garland returns home, and they arrest him. He is charged with multiple counts of theft, and with drug possession.
Was the search of the storage unit lawful?
Was the seizure of the marijuana lawful?
Was the search of the garage lawful? Why or why not?
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