No. 24-851

Paul S. Osterman v. United States

Lower Court: Seventh Circuit
Docketed: 2025-02-11
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Response Waived
Tags: affidavit-challenge franks-challenge law-enforcement-procedure omissions probable-cause search-warrant
Key Terms:
FourthAmendment CriminalProcedure Privacy
Latest Conference: 2025-03-21
Question Presented (AI Summary)

In the context of a Franks challenge, when evaluating whether an alleged omission was necessary to a finding of probable cause, may a court supplement the 'hypothetical affidavit' or 'corrected affidavit' with evidence beyond the alleged exculpatory omissions?

Question Presented (from Petition)

T here is a presumption of validity with respect to the affidavit supporting a search warrant. In Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154 (1978), this Court recognized that a defendant may overcome this presumption of validity “when the defendant shows by a preponderance of the evidence that (1) the affidavitin support of the warrant contains false statements or misleading omissions, (2) the false statements or omission s were made deliberately or with reckless disregard for the truth, and (3) probable cause wouldnot have existed without the false statements and/oromissions.” United States v. Williams, 718 F.3d 644, 647-48 (7 th Cir. 2013) (citing Franks, 438 U.S. at 155 56). In evaluating whether probable cause would haveexisted without the false statements and/or omissions,the court “eliminate[s] the alleged false statements,” Betker v. Gomez , 692 F.3d 854, 860 (7 th Cir. 2012), and adds in the evidence that had been omitted, Rainsberger v. Benner, 913 F.3d 640, 643 (7th Cir. 2019). The court then determines whether the resulting “hypothetical affidavit” or “corrected affidavit” sets forth probable cause. Id. But there is a circuit split on whether the “hypothetical affidavit” should be supplemented with only the allegedly omitted exculpatory facts or, instead, should be supplemented with allegedly omitted exculpatory facts and any additional inculpatory facts or context that the affiant was aware of but did not include in the original affidavit. 1.In the context of a Franks challenge, w hen evaluating whether an alleged omission wasnecessary to a finding of probable cause , may a ii court supplement the “hypothetical affidavit” or “corrected affidavit” with evidence beyond the alleged exculpatory omissions ? 2. Does an officer show a reckless disregard for the truth by swearing to facts in the warrant affidavit that are contradicted by records within the officer’s possession at the time the affidavit is sworn out?

Docket Entries

2025-03-24
Petition DENIED.
2025-02-26
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/21/2025.
2025-02-18
Waiver of United States of right to respond submitted.
2025-02-18
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2025-01-21
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due March 13, 2025)

Attorneys

Paul S. Osterman
Bradley William NovreskeNovreske Law Office, LLC, Petitioner
Bradley William NovreskeNovreske Law Office, LLC, Petitioner
United States
Sarah M. HarrisActing Solicitor General, Respondent
Sarah M. HarrisActing Solicitor General, Respondent