Flashcards Studio

A two-bedroom apartment is occupied by two colleagues, Selena and Marco. The building management, Ms. Dela Cruz, has a standing written authorization from the owner to manage the premises and to permit searches for safety and compliance. Police, relying on Dela Cruz’s asserted authority, enter the unit through an unlocked door, then search the living room and a locked personal locker inside Marco’s bedroom, seizing 1.8 kilograms of methamphetamine and a .38 revolver. Selena returns later and denies ever consenting to a search, filing a motion to suppress. (a) Identify the central doctrine governing the admissibility of the evidence obtained in this manner under the Constitution. (b) Discuss whether Dela Cruz’s consent gave the officers authority to search the entire unit, considering mutual authority and the scope of consent. (c) Apply the doctrine to the facts and determine whether the seized items should be admitted or excluded, with justification.