  By using an effective Lagrangian method, we study the effects of a newly
proposed $\Sigma^*(1/2^-)$ state with mass around 1380 MeV in the initial-state
polarized $\gamma N\rightarrow K^{+} \Sigma^*(1385) \rightarrow K^{+} \pi
\Lambda$ process near threshold. The theoretical predictions for the helicity
cross sections $\sigma_{3/2}$, $\sigma_{1/2}$ as well as their ratios, and the
angular distributions of $\pi$ in the $\pi\Lambda$ center-of-mass system are
given. It is found that assuming $\Sigma^*(1/2^-)$ exists or not, these
physical quantities are distinctly different. So our results could be useful
for the investigation of the existence of $\Sigma^*(1/2^-)$ when the
experimental data are available in the future.
