CGM v The Police

In *CGM v The Police*, the High Court of Australia considered an appeal from the Supreme Court of Queensland concerning the admissibility of evidence obtained through a search warrant. The appellant, CGM, sought to challenge the validity of the search warrant and the subsequent seizure of evidence, arguing that the warrant was improperly issued.

The central legal issue before the High Court was whether the information provided to the issuing officer to obtain the search warrant was sufficient to establish reasonable suspicion that an offence had been, or was likely to be, committed. This involved an examination of the requirements for a valid search warrant under Queensland law, specifically the nature and quality of the information needed to justify the intrusion upon a person's privacy.

The Court analysed the evidence presented to the issuing officer, applying the principles established in cases concerning the sufficiency of information for search warrants. It was held that the information provided did not, on its face, establish a sufficient basis for the issuing officer to form a reasonable suspicion that an offence had been, or was likely to be, committed. Consequently, the search warrant was deemed invalid, and the evidence seized pursuant to it was inadmissible. The High Court allowed the appeal, quashing the conviction.