IANAL, but I think it's preposterous to believe that the Fourth Amendment was written so poorly that it didn't mean that the required "Oath or affirmation" was that an actual crime was committed or imminent. The idea that mere hearsay (that wouldn't be admissible in court) would be enough to meet a Constitutional requirement is absolutely ridiculous.
Further, that a Texas Ranger would pusue a warrant without even so much as minimal due diligence is a sickening thought as to how far we've fallen.
I don't believe that the authorities' motive alone determines whether a path to greater evil is open. I believe that the way to hell is paved with good intentions.
2. Although an affidavit supporting a search warrant may be based on hearsay information and need not reflect the direct personal observations of the affiant, the magistrate must be informed of some of the underlying circumstances relied on by the person providing the information and some of the underlying circumstances from which the affiant concluded that the informant, whose identity was not disclosed, was creditable or his information reliable. Giordenello v. United States, 357 U. S. 480, followed. P P. 110-115.
The Sheriff had an informant. What general facts were reported by the alleged girl were consistent with information the informant gave.
I think you are mixing the CPS and the LE.
The CPS can come in, remove a child, for the safety of the child, based on such a thing as an anonymous phone call.
The LE is required to provide them escort,if they ask, maybe even if they don’t.
At the FLDS, there was also a SEARCH WARRANT put in effect, to get family records from the temple, which the men of the FLDS had continually refused to provide, or allow the CPS to see.
This has been going on a long time.
Now, an ARREST WARRANT for a suspect, that will come after the CPS can prove the crime was committed.
Hasn’t happened yet, that we know of. DNA testing can be so slow.
Of course, there is a court-sealed warrant, that none of us know the contents of.
I think I have the affidavits of the first two search warrants involving the FLDS compound, if you want to see them.
“I believe that the way to hell is paved with good intentions. “
I believe there are those who take the path to hell, believing it is the path to heaven.
For instance, the teachings of the FLDS sect at the YFZ Ranch.
Jeffs has distorted the original teachings to the point of declaring himself PROPHET, and setting up a LOYAL INNER CIRCLE of men who are rewarded with the riches of the church, and allowed to vent their impure lust for children, as a ‘guarantee’ they will remain loyal to the PROPHET who picks females from the herd, to be their mind-numbed slaves.
Other than that, I think the folks of the FLDS are fine people.
I hope they root out all the sinners and can return to their simple life with a good leader who cares about them all, serves that community, and the Lord.