messerschmidt et al millender executor estate millender deceased et argued december decided february shelly kelly afraid attacked boyfriend jerry ray bowen moved apartment therefore requested police protection two officers arrived called away emergency soon officers left bowen showed apartment yelled told never call cops bitch attacked kelly attempting throw landing kelly escaped car bowen pointed shotgun threatened kill tried leave kelly nonetheless sped away bowen fired five shots car blowing one tires kelly later met detective curt messerschmidt discuss incident described attack detail mentioned bowen previously assaulted ties mona park crips gang might staying home former foster mother augusta millender following conversation messerschmidt conducted detailed investigation confirmed bowen connection millenders home verified membership two gangs learned bowen arrested convicted numerous violent offenses based investigation messerschmidt drafted application warrant authorizing search millenders home firearms ammunition well evidence indicating gang membership messerschmidt included two affidavits warrant application first detailed extensive law enforcement experience specialized training crimes second expressly incorporated search warrant described incident explained messerschmidt believed probable cause search also requested warrant endorsed night service bowen gang ties submitting application magistrate approval messerschmidt reviewed supervisor sergeant robert lawrence well police lieutenant deputy district attorney messerschmidt submitted application magistrate issued warrant ensuing search uncovered millender shotgun california social services letter addressed bowen box ammunition millenders filed action petitioners messerschmidt lawrence alleging officers subjected unreasonable search violation fourth amendment district granted summary judgment millenders concluding firearm aspects search warrant overbroad officers entitled qualified immunity damages ninth circuit sitting en banc affirmed denial qualified immunity held warrant authorization unconstitutionally overbroad affidavits warrant failed establish probable cause broad categories firearms material material contraband evidence crime reasonable officer aware warrant deficiency held officers entitled qualified immunity pp qualified immunity protects government officials liability civil damages insofar conduct violate clearly established statutory constitutional rights reasonable person known pearson callahan alleged fourth amendment violation involves search seizure pursuant warrant fact neutral magistrate issued warrant clearest indication officers acted objectively reasonable manner objective good faith leon nonetheless fact end inquiry objective reasonableness recognized exception allowing suit obvious reasonably competent officer concluded warrant issue malley briggs shield immunity otherwise conferred warrant lost example warrant based affidavit lacking indicia probable cause render official belief existence entirely unreasonable leon threshold establishing exception high ordinary case officer expected question magistrate determination magistrate responsibility determine whether officer allegations establish probable cause issue warrant comporting form requirements fourth amendment leon supra pp case fall within narrow exception entirely unreasonable officer believe probable cause search firearms materials circumstances set forth warrant officer reasonably conclude fair probability shotgun firearm bowen owned illinois gates bowen shotgun illegal cf given bowen possession one illegal gun gang membership willingness use gun kill someone concern police unreasonable officer conclude bowen owned illegal guns officer also reasonably believe seizure firearms necessary prevent assaults kelly california law allows magistrate issue search warrant items possession person intent use means committing public offense cal penal code ann warrant application submitted officers specifically referenced provision basis search pp regarding warrant authorization search materials reasonable officer view bowen attack motivated souring romantic relationship kelly desire prevent disclosing details gang activity police therefore unreasonable based facts set affidavit officer believe evidence bowen gang affiliation prove helpful prosecuting attack kelly supporting additional related charges bowen assault impeaching bowen rebutting defenses moreover even merely domestic dispute reasonable officer still conclude gang paraphernalia found millenders residence demonstrate bowen control premises connection evidence found pp fact officers sought obtained approval warrant application superior deputy district attorney submitting magistrate provides support conclusion officer reasonably believed scope warrant supported probable cause contrary conclusion mean messerschmidt lawrence plainly incompetent concluding warrant supported probable cause malley supra supervisor deputy district attorney magistrate well pp holding warrant case obviously defective reasonable officer believed valid erred relying groh ramirez officers carried search entitled qualified immunity warrant failed describe items seized even cursory reading warrant revealed defect contrast arguable defect become apparent upon close parsing warrant application comparison supporting affidavit terms warrant determine whether affidavit established probable cause search items listed warrant unlike groh error one simple glance revealed id pp reversed roberts delivered opinion scalia kennedy thomas breyer alito joined breyer filed concurring opinion kagan filed opinion concurring part dissenting part sotomayor filed dissenting opinion ginsburg joined opinion notice opinion subject formal revision publication preliminary print reports readers requested notify reporter decisions washington typographical formal errors order corrections may made preliminary print goes press curt messerschmidt et petitioners brenda millender executor estate augusta millender deceased et al writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit february chief justice roberts delivered opinion petitioner police officers conducted search respondents home pursuant warrant issued neutral magistrate warrant authorized search guns material connection investigation known gang member shooting shotgun call ed cops app respondents brought action seeking hold officers personally liable alleging search violated fourth amendment rights sufficient probable cause believe items sought evidence crime particular respondents argued basis search guns simply suspect owned used shotgun reason search gang material shooting call ing cops solely domestic dispute appeals ninth circuit held warrant invalid officers entitled immunity personal liability invalidity obvious reasonable officer recognized despite magistrate approval disagree reverse shelly kelly decided break romantic relationship jerry ray bowen move apartment bowen key kelly feared attack bowen previously assaulted convicted multiple violent felonies therefore asked officers los angeles county sheriff department accompany gathered things deputies sheriff department came assist kelly called away respond emergency move complete soon officers left enraged bowen appeared bottom stairs apartment yelling told never call cops bitch app bowen ran stairs kelly grabbed shirt tried throw railing landing kelly successfully resisted bowen bit shoulder attempted drag inside apartment hair kelly managed escape bowen grasp ran car time bowen retrieved black shotgun pistol grip ran front kelly car pointed shotgun told kelly tried leave kill kelly leaned fully depressed gas pedal sped away bowen fired car total five times blowing car left front tire process kelly managed escape kelly quickly located police officers reported assault told police happened bowen attacked becoming angry called sheriff department mentioned bowen active member park crips local street gang kelly also provided officers photographs bowen detective curt messerschmidt assigned investigate incident messerschmidt met kelly obtain details assault information bowen kelly described attack informed messerschmidt thought bowen staying foster mother home east street kelly also informed messerschmidt bowen previous assaults gang ties messerschmidt conducted background check bowen consulting police records california department motor vehicles records database based research messerschmidt confirmed bowen connection east street address also confirmed bowen active member mona park crips secondary member dodge city crips finally messerschmidt learned bowen arrested convicted numerous violent offenses indeed time investigation bowen rapsheet spanned printed pages indicated arrested least times nine arrests firearms offenses six violent crimes including three arrests assault deadly weapon firearm messerschmidt prepared two warrants one authorize bowen arrest one authorize search east street attachment search warrant described property object search handguns rifles shotguns caliber firearms capable firing ammunition firearms devices modified designed allow sic fire ammunition caliber ammunition miscellaneous gun parts gun cleaning kits holsters hold held caliber handgun sought receipts paperwork showing purchase ownership possession handguns sought firearm proof ownership firearm capable firing chambered fire caliber ammunition articles evidence showing street gang membership affiliation street gang include limited reference park crips including writings graffiti depicting gang membership activity identity articles personal property tending establish identity person sic control premise premises photographs photograph albums depicting persons vehicles weapons locations may appear relevant gang membership may depict item sought believed evidence case investigated warrant may depict evidence criminal activity additionally include gang indicia establish persons sought warrant affiliation membership park crips street gang two affidavits accompanied messerschmidt warrant applications first affidavit described messerschmidt extensive law enforcement experience including served peace officer years assigned specialized unit investigating gang related crimes arresting gang members various violations law involved hundreds gang related incidents contacts arrests time force received specialized training field gang related crimes training gang related shootings second affidavit expressly incorporated search warrant explained messerschmidt believed sufficient probable cause support warrant affidavit described facts incident involving kelly bowen great detail including weapon used assault affidavit recounted kelly identified bowen assailant thought bowen might found east street also reported messerschmidt conducted extensive background search suspect utilizing departmental records state computer records police agency records information concluded bowen resided east street affidavit requested search warrant endorsed night service information provided victim data base indicated bowen gang ties mona park crip gang night service provide added element safety community well deputy personnel serving warrant affidavit concluded noting messerschmidt believe items sought bowen possession recovery weapon invaluable successful prosecution suspect involved case curtailment crimes committed ibid messerschmidt submitted warrants supervisors sergeant lawrence lieutenant ornales review deputy district attorney janet wilson also reviewed materials initialed search warrant indicating agreed messerschmidt assessment probable cause finally messerschmidt submitted warrants magistrate magistrate approved warrants authorized night service search warrant served two days later team officers included messerschmidt lawrence sheriff deputies forced open front door east street encountered augusta millender woman seventies millender daughter grandson instructed police millenders went outside residence secured remained living room search conducted bowen found residence search however result seizure augusta millender shotgun california social services letter addressed bowen box ammunition bowen arrested two weeks later messerschmidt found hiding bed motel room millenders filed suit federal district county los angeles sheriff department sheriff number individual officers including messerschmidt lawrence complaint alleged relevant search warrant invalid fourth amendment sought damages messerschmidt lawrence among others parties filed cross motions summary judgment validity search warrant district found warrant defective two respects district concluded warrant authorization search firearms unconstitutionally overbroad crime specified physical assault specific weapon black shotgun pistol grip negating need search firearms millender county los angeles civ cd mar app pet cert wl also found warrant overbroad respect search materials evidence crime issue app pet cert result district granted summary judgment millenders constitutional challenges firearm gang material aspects search warrant district also rejected officers claim entitled qualified immunity damages messerschmidt lawrence appealed divided panel appeals ninth circuit reversed district denial qualified immunity held officers entitled qualified immunity reasonably relied approval warrant deputy district attorney judge appeals granted rehearing en banc affirmed district denial qualified immunity en banc concluded warrant authorization unconstitutionally overbroad affidavit warrant failed establish probable cause broad categories firearms material material described warrant contraband evidence crime en banc view deputies probable cause search single identified weapon probable cause search broad class firearms materials described warrant addition ecause deputies failed establish link materials crime warrant authorizing search seizure evidence likewise invalid concluding reasonable officer deputies position well aware deficiency en banc held officers entitled qualified immunity two separate dissenting opinions judge callahan determined officers probable cause search seize firearms home bowen gang member felon thought reside also concluded officers reasonably relied superiors district attorney magistrate correct overbreadth warrant officers entitled qualified immunity actions objectively unreasonable judge silverman also dissented concluding deputies belief validity warrant entirely reasonable record wa totally devoid evidence deputies acted good faith judge tallman joined dissents granted certiorari ii millenders allege subjected unreasonable search violation fourth amendment warrant authorizing search home supported probable cause seek damages messerschmidt lawrence roles obtaining executing warrant validity warrant us question instead whether messerschmidt lawrence entitled immunity damages even assuming warrant issued doctrine qualified immunity protects government officials liability civil damages insofar conduct violate clearly established statutory constitutional rights reasonable person known pearson callahan quoting harlow fitzgerald qualified immunity gives government officials breathing room make reasonable mistaken judgments protects plainly incompetent knowingly violate law ashcroft slip quoting malley briggs hether official protected qualified immunity may held personally liable allegedly unlawful official action generally turns legal reasonableness action assessed light legal rules established time taken anderson creighton citation omitted alleged fourth amendment violation involves search seizure pursuant warrant fact neutral magistrate issued warrant clearest indication officers acted objectively reasonable manner sometimes put objective good faith leon nonetheless precedents fact neutral magistrate issued warrant authorizing allegedly unconstitutional search seizure end inquiry objective reasonableness rather recognized exception allowing suit obvious reasonably competent officer concluded warrant issue malley shield immunity otherwise conferred warrant lost example warrant based affidavit lacking indicia probable cause render official belief existence entirely unreasonable leon internal quotation marks omitted precedents make clear however threshold establishing exception high one explained leon ordinary case officer expected question magistrate determination magistrate responsibility determine whether officer allegations establish probable cause issue warrant comporting form requirements fourth amendment see also malley supra sound presumption magistrate qualified police officer make probable cause determination goes without saying magistrate acts mistakenly issuing warrant within range professional competence magistrate officer requested warrant held liable internal quotation marks citation omitted iii millenders contend appeals held case falls narrow exception according millenders officers failed provide facts circumstances magistrate properly conclude probable cause seize broad classes items sought reasonable officer presumed warrant valid brief respondents disagree respect warrant authorization search seize firearms millenders argue reasonably officer readily perceived probable cause search house firearms items noting affidavit indicated exactly item evidence crime sawed shotgun pistol grip argue facts established bowen possessed firearms let alone firearms existed evidence crime ibid quoting app even scope warrant overbroad authorizing search guns information specific one specific one shotgun pistol grip owned known gang member fired weapon five times public attempt murder another person asserted ground call ed cops circumstances set forth warrant unreasonable officer conclude fair probability shotgun firearm bowen owned illinois gates certainly reasonable officer assume bowen shotgun illegal cf evidence one crime always evidence several given bowen possession one illegal gun gang membership willingness use gun kill someone concern police reasonable officer conclude additional illegal guns among others bowen reasonable officer also believe seizure firearms necessary prevent assaults kelly california law allows magistrate issue search warrant items possession person intent use means committing public offense cal penal code ann west warrant application submitted officers specifically referenced provision basis search app bowen already attempted murder kelly firearm yelled kill tried escape reasonable officer conclude bowen make another attempt kelly life possessed firearms intent use end cal penal code ann given foregoing entirely unreasonable officer believe particular circumstances case probable cause search firearms materials leon supra internal quotation marks omitted respect warrant authorization search evidence gang membership millenders contend reasonable officer believed affidavit presented magistrate contained sufficient basis conclude gang paraphernalia sought contraband evidence crime brief respondents argue magistrate reasonably concluded based affidavit bowen gang membership anything crime investigation affidavit described assault ensued kelly decided end going dating relationship bowen othing description suggests crime ibid quoting app effort characterize case solely domestic dispute however misleading cf post sotomayor dissenting post kagan concurring part dissenting part messerschmidt began affidavit support warrant explaining investigating assault deadly weapon incident elaborated crime spousal assault assault deadly weapon app emphasis added affidavit also stated bowen known mona park crip gang member based information provided victim database attempted murder kelly becoming enraged call ed cops reasonable officer certainly view bowen attack motivated souring romantic relationship kelly instead desire prevent disclosing details gang activity police longer linked girlfriend assaulted past indeed called cops affidavit supporting warrant made clear kelly fact given police information bowen gang ties therefore unreasonable based facts set affidavit officer believe evidence regarding bowen gang affiliation prove helpful prosecuting attack kelly see warden md penitentiary hayden holding fourth amendment allows search evidence probable cause believe evidence sought aid particular apprehension conviction evidence help establish motive either apart addition domestic dispute also support bringing additional related charges bowen assault see cal penal code ann west crime attempt prevent dissuade another person victim crime witness crime aking report victimization law enforcement officer addition reasonable officer believe evidence demonstrating bowen membership gang might prove helpful impeaching bowen rebutting various defenses raise trial example evidence bowen ties gang uses guns one used assault kelly certainly relevant establish familiarity access type weapon moreover even merely domestic dispute reasonable officer still conclude gang paraphernalia found millenders residence aid prosecution bowen example demonstrating bowen connection evidence found warrant authorized search gang indicia establish persons sought warrant rticles personal property tending establish identity person control premise premises app district millenders acknowledge evidence controlled premises relevant incriminating evidence found became necessary tie evidence person district approved aspect warrant basis app pet cert internal quotation marks omitted given bowen known gang affiliation reasonable officer conclude gang paraphernalia found residence effective means demonstrating bowen control premises connection evidence found whatever use evidence bowen gang involvement might ultimately put entirely unreasonable officer believe facts set affidavit established fair probability evidence aid prosecution bowen criminal acts issue leon internal quotation marks omitted whether facts standing alone taken together actually establish probable cause question need decide qualified immunity gives government officials breathing room make reasonable mistaken judgments slip officers judgment scope warrant supported probable cause may mistaken plainly incompetent malley top fact officers sought obtained approval warrant application superior deputy district attorney submitting magistrate provides support conclusion officer reasonably believed scope warrant supported probable cause ibid seeking warrant issued magistrate messerschmidt conducted extensive investigation bowen background facts crime based investigation messerschmidt prepared detailed warrant application truthfully laid pertinent facts facts omitted officers knowledge bowen arrest conviction records see supra strengthened warrant messerschmidt submitted warrant application review lawrence another superior officer deputy district attorney approved application without apparent misgivings messerschmidt seek approval neutral magistrate issued requested warrant officers thus took every step reasonably expected massachusetts sheppard light foregoing said officer reasonable competence requested warrant malley indeed contrary conclusion mean messerschmidt lawrence plainly incompetent supervisor deputy district attorney magistrate well appeals however gave weight fact warrant reviewed approved officers superiors deputy district attorney neutral magistrate relying malley held officers independent responsibility ensure least colorable argument probable cause explained deputies responsibility exercise reasonable professional judgment circumstances neutral magistrate approval fortiori prosecutor absolve officer liability ibid citation omitted rejected malley contention officer automatically entitled qualified immunity seeking warrant unsupported probable cause simply magistrate approved application officers superior deputy district attorney part prosecution team review also regarded dispositive holding malley magistrate approval automatically render officer conduct reasonable suggest approval magistrate review others irrelevant objective reasonableness officers determination warrant valid indeed expressly noted deciding whether officer conduct case fact objectively reasonable fact officers secured approvals certainly pertinent assessing whether held reasonable belief warrant supported probable cause holding warrant case obviously defective reasonable officer believed valid relied heavily decision groh ramirez precedent far afield held officers carried search entitled qualified immunity warrant question failed describe items seized explained portion form called description property seized applicant typed description target blue house rather alleged stockpile firearms thus warrant stated nonsensically concealed specified premises certain person property namely single dwelling residence two story height blue color two additions attached east bracketed material original even cursory reading warrant case perhaps simple glance revealed glaring reasonable police officer known constitutionally fatal held officer entitled qualified immunity instant case remotely similar contrast groh defect obvious face warrant rather arguable defect become apparent upon close parsing warrant application comparison affidavit terms warrant determine whether affidavit established probable cause search items listed warrant error simple glance revealed ibid indeed unlike groh officers merely submit application magistrate also presented review superior officer deputy district attorney submitting magistrate fact none officials reviewed application expressed concern validity demonstrates error obvious groh plainly control result question case whether magistrate erred believing sufficient probable cause support scope warrant issued instead whether magistrate obviously erred reasonable officer recognized error occasions standard met may rare circumstances appropriate impose personal liability lay officer face judicial approval actions even warrant case invalid obviously lacking probable cause officers considered plainly incompetent concluding otherwise malley supra judgment appeals denying officers qualified immunity must therefore reversed ordered breyer concurring curt messerschmidt et petitioners brenda millender executor estate augusta millender deceased et al writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit february justice breyer concurring concludes officers acted reasonably searching house firearms items ante emphasis deleted support conclusion cites two sets circumstances first majority points bowen possession one illegal gun gang membership willingness use gun kill someone concern police ante second majority notes reasonable officer also believe seizure firearms necessary prevent assaults kelly bowen already attempted murder kelly firearm yelled kill tried escape ante view given circumstances together officers reasonably believed scope search supported probable cause basis concur opinion kagan curt messerschmidt et petitioners brenda millender executor estate augusta millender deceased et al writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit february justice kagan concurring part dissenting part dissent view case affair awards immunity across board messerschmidt colleagues dissent grant none think right answer lies although makes error agree reasonably competent police officer thought warrant valid authorizing search firearms related items see ante warrant application recounted known gang member used shotgun illegal weapon california law see cal penal code ann west cum supp try kill another person see app perhaps gang ties plus possession unlawful gun plus use gun commit violent assault add needed search probable cause believe bowen additional illegal firearms legal firearms intended use violate law place staying ninth circuit decisions leave conclusion debatable reasonable police officer found warrant adequately supported indicia probable cause malley briggs messerschmidt fellow officers receive qualified immunity search firearms however goes astray holds reasonable officer thought warrant valid approving search evidence street gang membership app membership even worst gang violate california law officers search gang paraphernalia establish bowen ties crips instead police needed probable cause believe items provide evidence actual crime acknowledges see ante crime mentioned warrant application assault kelly problem nothing application supports link bowen gang membership shooting contra elaborate see ante messerschmidt affidavit fact characterized violent assault domestic dispute one see app describing crime spousal assault assault deadly weapon description consistent natural understanding events warrant application thus hole center lacked explanation gang items even might provide evidence domestic assault police investigating fill vacuum proposes alternative similarly inadequate justification gang paraphernalia demonstrated bowen connection millender residence evidence assault found dissent rightly notes one difficulty argument discovery gang items established bowen staying house given several gang members regularly see post opinion sotomayor even setting issue aside reasoning proves far much sanction equally well search bowen possessions premises result impossible square fourth amendment see andresen maryland disapproving general exploratory rummaging person quoting coolidge new hampshire authorizing search items warrant far outstripped officers probable cause reasonable officer recognized defect award qualified immunity messerschmidt colleagues aspect search still fundamentally errs scolding appeals failing give weight fact warrant reviewed approved officers superiors deputy district attorney neutral magistrate ante dissent points see post holding malley opposite effect officer entitled rely judgment judicial officer finding probable cause exists hence issuing warrant malley made clear qualified immunity turned officer professional judgment considered separately mistake magistrate see officer excuse default pointing greater incompetence magistrate powell concurring part dissenting part objecting decision give little evidentiary weight finding probable cause magistrate said malley magistrate authorization applies still strongly approval police officers state attorneys individuals puts part prosecution team ante make views relevant enable teammates whether acting good bad faith confer immunity unreasonable conduct like applying warrant without anything resembling probable cause reasons reverse part affirm part judgment appeals remand case proceedings sotomayor dissenting curt messerschmidt et petitioners brenda millender executor estate augusta millender deceased et al writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit february justice sotomayor justice ginsburg joins dissenting fundamental purpose fourth amendment warrant clause protect general searches importing fourth amendment adopted specifically response crown practice using general warrants writs assistance search suspected places evidence smuggling libel crimes boyd early patriots railed practices worst instrument arbitrary power john adams later claimed child independence born colonists opposition use internal quotation marks omitted prevent issue general warrants loose vague doubtful bases fact importing framers established inviolable principle resolve case warrants shall issue upon probable cause particularly describing things seized amdt police must articulate adequate reason search specific items related specific crimes case police officers investigating specific assault committed specific firearm shotgun obtained warrant search evidence related street gang ny photographs may depict evidence criminal activity firearms app asserted reason search might lead evidence related gang members criminal activity alid warrants commonly allow police search ammunition see infra kind general warrant antithetical fourth amendment nonetheless concludes officers entitled qualified immunity conduct objectively reasonable disagree federal judges previously considered case little difficulty concluding police officers search material violated fourth amendment see app pet cert substantial majority agreed police search material firearms violated fourth amendment objectively unreasonable like believe reasonably officer petitioner position known affidavit failed establish probable cause malley briggs also hints police officer otherwise unreasonable conduct may excused approval magistrate disturbingly another police officer ante inconsistent focus objective reasonableness officer decision submit warrant application magistrate long ago rejected see malley analysis bears little relationship record case precedents purposes underlying qualified immunity analysis reasons respectfully dissent holds officer reasonably concluded probable cause search millenders residence evidence affiliation street gang handguns rifles shotguns caliber firearms capable firing ammunition app agree troubling determination petitioners reasonably concluded probable cause search evidence gang affiliation millenders home reaches result way unprecedented post hoc reconstruction crime wholly ignores police conclusions well undisputed facts presented district primarily theorizes reasonable officer certainly view bowen attack motivated souring romantic relationship kelly instead desire prevent disclosing details gang activity police ante majority therefore dismisses misleading millenders characterization case domestic dispute insisting detective messerschmidt reasonably thought crime gang related see ante police flatly rejected hypothesis however concluding crime domestic dispute way gang related detective messerschmidt deposition illustrative far knew sort case perpetrator happened gang right correct reason believe assault kelly sort gang crime record cv ddp rzx cd cal hereinafter record doc exh hereinafter deposition crime analysis forms prepared police likewise identified bowen mona park crip gang member check motive attack see app crime analysis supplemental factors district noted undisputed detective messerschmidt reason believe bowen crime crime app pet cert police conclusions matched victim account attack kelly asked police officers help move bowen ha domestic violence record hit twice already repeatedly threatened never leave kill leave planning breaking record doc exh pp hereinafter kelly interview kelly described confrontation fled car order leave bowen reemerged shared apartment shotgun told gon na kill ass right take consistent prior threats every piece information therefore accorded detective messerschmidt conclusion crime domestic violence gang unlike members detective messerschmidt alone years experience peace officer hundreds hours instruction dynamics gangs gang trends received specialized training field gang related crimes involved hundreds gang related incidents contacts arrests app provides justification sweeping aside conclusions reached basis far greater expertise let alone facts found district repeatedly recently warned appellate courts far removed scene judgments made police reweighing facts stood district ryburn huff per curiam slip majority decision today totally inconsistent principles qualified immunity analysis direct courts play role crime scene investigators police officers determinations whether crime committed handgun shotgun whether violence gang related domestic dispute indeed warned courts asking whether another reasonable reasonable interpretation events constructed five years fact hunter bryant per curiam inquiry precedents demand whether different conclusions might conceivably drawn crime scene rather whether reasonably officer petitioner position known affidavit failed establish probable cause malley operative question case therefore whether given petitioners comprehended crime gang related reasonable officer nonetheless believed probable cause seek warrant search suspect residence evidence affiliation suspect street gang street gang offers two secondary explanations search items might justified equally unpersuasive first majority suggests evidence hypothetically might prove helpful impeaching bowen rebutting various defenses raise trial ante fourth amendment permit police search evidence solely admissible impeachment rebuttal purposes police equally entitled obtain warrants rifle papers anyone reasonably suspected crime evidence bad character fed rule evid evidence crime wrong act might prove defendant motive opportunity intent preparation plan knowledge identity absence mistake lack accident fed rule evid indeed majority rationale presumably authorize police search residence every member bowen street gang similar weapons likewise might prove helpful impeaching bowen rebutting various defenses raise trial ante long case however general searches detached probable cause impermissible see importing admission however officers searching indicia bolster hypothetical impeachment theory reasons photos sought gang membership linked gang members evidencing criminal activity gang affiliation enhancement criminal charges app see also kind fishing expedition evidence unidentified criminal activity committed unspecified persons evil fourth amendment intended prevent finally concludes even merely domestic dispute reasonable officer still conclude gang paraphernalia found millenders residence aid prosecution bowen example demonstrating bowen connection unspecified evidence found ante difficult understand police well aware obtaining warrant persons associated home millender family members active mona park crip gang members app simply finding paraphernalia therefore done little establish probable cause particular evidence found home connected bowen rather several active gang members resided full time millender moreover done nothing establish bowen committed crime specified also errs concluding petitioners reasonably concluded probable cause search firearms notably absent discussion acknowledgment actual basis petitioners search police officers searched firearms reasons hypothesized majority determined alid warrants commonly allow police search ammunition ere caliber shotgun receipts show possession purchase guns see also brief appellant hereinafter brief small wonder district found arguments nonsensical unpersuasive app pet cert bears repeating founders adopted fourth amendment protect searches evidence unspecified crimes merely possessing firearms crime see generally district columbia heller justifying officers actions reasons invention ignores reasons officers actually gave well facts upon case decided majority analysis akin rationalbasis test thus far removed qualified immunity analysis demands even police searched reasons proposes however still find inappropriate afford qualified immunity correctly recognizes satisfy fourth amendment police required demonstrate probable cause firearms found millenders residence weapons illegal ed intent use means committing public offense ante quoting cal penal code ann west warrant failed establish either majority little difficulty concluding bowen fired one firearm reasonable police conclude bowen must possessed others must storing weapons former foster mother however police actually concluded detective messerschmidt deposition makes clear reason believe automatic weapons house reason believe hand guns house given information deposition undaunted majority finds officer concluded information probable cause search hand guns caliber ammunition miscellaneous gun parts gun cleaning kits holsters hold held caliber handgun sought ny receipts paperwork showing purchase ownership possession handguns sought app puzzling aspect fourth amendment clearly established police reasonably search even pursuant warrant items reason believe present conclusion contrary simply reads probable cause requirement fourth amendment even assuming police reasonably concluded bowen possessed guns storing millenders home agree warrant provided probable cause believe weapon possessed home persons regularly lived none suspect case either contraband evidence crime ornelas warrant set forth specific facts particularized explanation establishing probable cause believe guns found home connected crime specified warrant otherwise hypothesizes police searched firearms uncover evidence yet unnamed crimes ante warrant specified police investigating one particular crime assault deadly weapon app police officers confirmed search targeted find gun related crime issue brief see also app obtaining authorization search item sought believed evidence case investigated warrant emphasis added police told ninth circuit searched firearms majority hypothesizes additional illegal guns among others bowen owned ante dubious theory kelly mistaken description gun app pet cert ninth circuit properly dismissed argument carrying little force finding unimpeachable given kelly presented police photograph bowen holding specific gun used crime police victim witness crime identified gun shotgun see finally majority suggests officers reasonably believed seizure firearms millenders residence justified weapons might possessed bowen intent use means committing public offense ante warrant specified police sought shotgun used crime purpose see app statement probable cause affiant also believes items sought possession jerry ray bowen recovery weapon invaluable successful prosecution suspect involved case curtailment crimes committed emphasis added ii also finds error appeals failure find pertinent fact officer sought approval warrant ante whether detective messerschmidt presented warrant application magistrate surely pertinent demonstrating subjective good qualified immunity turn whether officer motivated good intentions malice rather objective reasonableness official conduct harlow fitzgerald majority asserts without citation magistrate approval relevant objective reasonableness view however expressly contradicted holding malley briggs found police officer entitled rely judgment judicial officer finding probable cause exists hence issuing warrant explained view objective reasonableness odds development concept harlow leon appropriate qualified immunity analysis held whether officer reasonably relied magistrate probable cause determination rather whether reasonably officer petitioner position known affidavit failed establish probable cause applied warrant ibid emphasis added case officer application warrant objectively reasonable create unnecessary danger unlawful arrest ibid officer reasonable competence requested warrant magistrate issues warrant makes reasonable mistake unacceptable error indicating gross incompetence neglect duty cases officer excuse default pointing greater incompetence magistrate ibid cases wrong unreasonable officer seek warrant allowing magistrate approval immunize police officer unreasonable action retrospectively makes little sense motivating officer reflect submitting request warrant upon whether reasonable basis believing affidavit establishes probable cause recognized qualified immunity precedents desirable effect reduc ing likelihood officer request warrant premature leading waste judicial resources premature arrests extent proposes cut back upon malley majority promote opposite result encouraging sloppy police work risk searches comport requirements fourth amendment also makes much fact detective messerschmidt sent proposed warrant application two superior police officers district attorney review giving weight fact turn fourth amendment head made clear malley police officer acting unreasonably obtain qualified immunity basis neutral magistrate approval passing strange therefore immunize officer conduct instead based upon approval police officers see johnson opinion jackson right privacy must reasonably yield right search rule decided judicial officer policeman government enforcement agent effect rule however hold blameless plainly incompetent action police officer seeking warrant plainly incompetent approval superiors district attorney see ante see also ante opinion kagan majority test four wrongs apparently make right agree however objective legal reasonableness official acts harlow turns number police officers prosecutors improperly sanction search violates fourth amendment iii police officers perform difficult essential service society frequently substantial risk personal safety criminals like bowen sympathetic figures fourth amendment protects suspected known offenders well innocent importing long ago recognized efforts bring guilty punishment praiseworthy aided sacrifice great principles established years endeavor suffering resulted embodiment fundamental law land weeks qualified immunity properly affords police officers protection long conduct objectively reasonable objectively reasonable police investigating specific assault committed particular firearm search evidence related street gang photographs may depict evidence criminal activity firearms reaches contrary result thinks police officers stated reasons searching objectively reasonable thinks different conclusions might drawn crime scene reasonably might led different officers search different reasons analysis however far removed qualified immunity proper focus whether petitioners acted objectively reasonable manner petitioners affirm judgment appeals footnotes although leon involved proper application exclusionary rule remedy fourth amendment violation held standard objective reasonableness applied context suppression hearing leon defines qualified immunity accorded officer obtained relied allegedly invalid warrant malley briggs citation omitted groh ramirez dissent relies almost entirely facts outside affidavit including messerschmidt deposition testimony post opinion sotomayor crime analysis forms post kelly interview post messerschmidt notes regarding kelly interview post even several briefs filed district appeals post contrast dissent cites probable cause affidavit twice see post contention us affidavit misleading omitting facts dissent relies cf leon dissent caricatures analysis bowen fired one firearm reasonable police conclude must possessed others post opinion sotomayor simply avoids coming grips facts crime issue although database information contained therein used establish probable cause see app affidavit makes clear kelly also provided information messerschmidt deputies initially responded attack describing kelly statement bowen active member park therefore need decide whether database disclaimer relevant fourth amendment analysis contrary dissent suggestion see post opinion sotomayor affidavit account bowen statements consistent accounts confrontation particular report prepared officers spoke kelly immediately attack see app stating bowen appeared base stairs began yelling kelly angry called sheriff department point litigation accuracy affidavit account attack called question dissent relies heavily messerschmidt deposition stated bowen crime gang crime see post messerschmidt belief nature crime however information possessed conclusion reached based information known see anderson creighton eschew ed inquiries subjective beliefs law enforcement officers seize evidence pursuant subsequently invalidated warrant leon see also harlow fitzgerald event dissent recognizes inquiry precedents whether reasonably officer petitioner position known affidavit failed establish probable cause malley emphasis added messerschmidt evaluation answer question whether unreasonable officer reached different conclusion facts affidavit see supra fourth amendment require probable cause believe evidence conclusively establish fact permitting search probable cause believe evidence sought aid particular apprehension conviction warden md penitentiary hayden emphasis added even gang evidence might turned conclusive members millender household also gang ties see post opinion sotomayor post opinion kagan reasonable officer still conclude evidence gang membership help show bowen connection residence evidence example displayed bowen gang moniker jay identified kelly belonging bowen see app footnotes even defends warrant authorization search ny photographs may depict evidence criminal activity implies detective messerschmidt consider crime solely domestic dispute labeled spousal assault assault deadly weapon ante internal quotation marks omitted solely domestic disputes often involve gun violence however see sorenson weibe weapons lives battered women pub health noting female domestic violence shelter residents california reported threatened harmed firearm case event reading detective messerschmidt affidavit incompatible testimony crime sort case gang crime see supra page suggesting courts assessing qualified immunity ignore police officers testimony information possessed time search ante misreads harlow fitzgerald anderson creighton harlow adopted qualified immunity test focusing officer objective good faith rather whether officer searched malicious intention cause deprivation constitutional rights injury explained examination information possessed searching officials reintroduce qualified immunity analysis inquiry officials subjective intent harlow sought minimize anderson therefore highly relevant detective messerschmidt testified lacked reason consider crime gang related supra page possessed information handguns millenders home infra courts ignore information crime analysis forms ballistic reports victim interviews labeling information conclusions wrong imply courts consider facts outside affidavit within officers possession assessing qualified immunity ante precedents make clear objective reasonableness officer conduct judged light clearly established law information officers possessed wilson layne officer possesses information indicating lacks probable cause search information presented neutral magistrate approved search particularly likely reasonably well trained officer known search illegal despite magistrate authorization leon support theory bowen attacked kelly keep silent gang activity majority relies principally claim bowen yelled told never call cops bitch ante citing less five times see ante bowen attempt ed murder kelly asserted ground ed cops see also ante bowen however never made statement though appears warrant application words messerschmidt taken inaccurate notes kelly account crime kelly actually said interview soon police deputies left bowen came nowhere talking call police called police kelly responded one called police nstead arguing fighting want get shit done kelly interview compare ibid record doc exh messerschmidt narrative interview kelly kelly started leave bowen exclaim oh like like retrieve gun threaten shoot left kelly interview bowen ante called sheriff department assistance reflected exactly kelly police expected outset bowen give hard time moving app sheriff department incident report suggests even evidence inconclusive generally evidence bearing bowen particular gang moniker demonstrated bowen connection residence warrant authorize search items bearing bowen moniker rather items related street gang including countless street gangs bowen member app even interpretation therefore warrant hopelessly overbroad invalid police also search evidence sake mere membership gang crime california law see people gardeley cal although recites additional facts bowen background arrest record ante none facts disclosed magistrate police rationalize search post hoc basis information failed set forth warrant application neutral magistrate rather elementary passing validity warrant reviewing may consider information brought magistrate attention aguilar texas see also jacobsen likewise police officer obtain qualified immunity searching pursuant warrant relying upon facts outside warrant evinced malley focus whether reasonably officer petitioner position known affidavit failed establish probable cause malley briggs emphasis added majority ignores bowen retrieved shotgun fired apartment shared kelly millenders home kelly provided indication bowen possessed guns stored former foster mother home augusta millender grandmother living dangerous part los angeles unreasonable imagine validly possessed weapon turned case california law magistrates officials responsible issuing search warrants cal penal code ann west clear one suggests petitioners acted malice intended misleading omitting facts ante illustrate objectively unreasonable search reasons proposes hardly surprising instance detective messerschmidt include affidavit facts affirming crime gang related given believe crime gang related search material reason see supra affidavit warrant perfectly consistent officers stated reasons search theories two justices wrote separately disagreeing majority believed substantial weight accorded judge finding probable cause malley powell joined rehnquist concurring part dissenting part famous case wilkes wood lofft eng one seminal events informing framers development fourth amendment undersecretary state searched home john wilkes pursuant general warrant subjected monetary damages notwithstanding superior lord halifax issued warrant see boyd