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Michigan Supreme Court drops interest in marijuana bust

Posted at 3:37 PM, Jul 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-30 15:37:46-04

CENTREVILLE, Mich. (AP) — After hearing arguments, the state Supreme Court has dropped interest in a case involving police tactics during a marijuana bust in southwestern Michigan.

The issue was whether deputies in St. Joseph County acted legally when they walked to the rear of a home and suspected there was marijuana inside. Moments earlier, they had knocked at a different door and got no answer.

The deputies returned with a warrant. Michael Radandt’s lawyer argued that the warrant was improper because the deputies didn’t have authority to keep snooping, but two courts backed the deputies.

The Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments in March but dropped the case Friday. Three justices disagreed, saying lower courts need guidance.

Justice Bridget McCormack says the analysis by the Michigan appeals court is “flawed in several critical ways.”