The apparent authority doctrine was implemented as a tool of sorts for law enforcement officers, lessening stringent burdens and barriers to their ability to do their job. Riordan v. State, 905 S.W.2d 765, 771 (Tex. App.—Austin 1995, no pet.). However, apparent authority cannot exist when the circumstances are ambiguous. Id.. In ambiguous situations, an officer must inquire further with the third …show more content…
Like Riordan, Johnson represented herself to the detectives as a neighbor of the homeowner. See 905 S.W.2d at 768; (C.R. 10-11, Order ¶ 10). Additionally, as in Riordan and Corral, Johnson informed the detective’s that Archer only authorized her to use his home for limited purposes. See Corral, 339 F. Supp.2d at 795-96; Riordan, 905 S.W.2d at 772; (C.R. 11, Order ¶ 10). Also, like Corral, Johnson did not have any knowledge of when the homeowner, Archer, would return. See 339 F. Supp.2d at 796; (C.R. 11, Order ¶