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oregarding evidence obtained from a search of a person during a traffic stop for faulty tail light . officer approached vehicle informed driver of faulty tail light and asked to see ID (driver complied)officer briefly viewed licence and preceded to ask driver to step out of vehicle (driver complied) officer then instructed driver to place hands on top of car (driver complied) officer then searched driver for weapons and proceded to ask driver for permission to search vehicle (driver reluctantly complyed) officer then conducted a search of vehicle , completion of search officer found no evidence of illeagal activity. officer then returned to search driver for a second time finding small amount of methamphtamine , a few misc. pills and drug paraphinalia.officer then placed driver under arrest based on said evidence .   my question is with reguards to this paticular situation defence persued with a motion to supress under what circumstances if any possible exception to exclusion rule?

Submitted: 259 days and 7 hours ago.
Category: Legal
Value: $15
Status: AWAITING EXPERT REPLY
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valleysprings, California

Already Tried:
there was no warrent outstanding or information regarding reson for suspicion no prior record or history of illeagal activity.is it possible to base good faith from information obtained from informant statement ?

Posted by Wayne Patterson 259 days and 7 hours ago.

Answer

Under the law, there was no reasonable articulable suspicion that would allow the first Terry frisk. However, any experienced officer can state a reason and the judge will go along with it. Here, the fact the first frisk did not turn up anything makes the second frisk unreasonable and the evidence should be excluded.

 

What does the police report say as to why he felt he had cause to search you the second time?

259 days and 7 hours ago.

Reply

just bailed one week ago arrainment set for the 17th made several requests for copy of police report was told it would only be released to my lawyer i explained i was presently representing myself request remained denied

259 days and 7 hours ago.

Reply

you did not answer my question i asked what reason would be considered officer acting on good faith

259 days and 6 hours ago.

Reply

dont forget officer conducted search of vehicle between searches of driver

259 days and 5 hours ago.

Reply

Relist: No answer yet.

Posted by Wayne Patterson 259 days and 4 hours ago.

Answer

The reasonableness of any particular search and seizure must be assessed in light of the particular circumstances against the standard of whether a man of reasonable caution is warranted in believing that the action taken was appropriate

Terry permits a brief stop of a person whose suspicious conduct leads an officer to conclude in light of his experience that criminal activity may be afoot, and a patdown search of the person for weapons when the officer is justified in believing that the person may be armed and presently dangerous. This protective search -- permitted without a warrant and on the basis of reasonable suspicion less than probable cause -- is not meant to discover evidence of crime, but must be strictly limited to that which is necessary for the discovery of weapons which might be used to harm the officer or others. If the protective search goes beyond what is necessary to determine if the suspect is armed, it is no longer valid under Terry and its fruits will be suppressed.

 

Here I see nothing that would give the officer the right for the first search, much less the second. With that said, I don't know what he is going to use as a reason.

 

You can file a Brady request for discovery.

259 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

my question is referencing possibility of reasons undisclosed to driver based on information officer obtained from informant or sworn statement

Posted by Wayne Patterson 259 days and 4 hours ago.

Answer

You need to get discovery to find out. I am going offline so will opt out and let someone else see if they can help you.

Accepted Answer

Hello XXXXXXXXX,

Although you are presently considering representing yourself, I would encourage you to request the appointment of a public defender, who is a lawyer appointed by the court to represent defendants who cannot afford a lawyer. Otherwise, you will need to learn a great deal about criminal law and procedure if you want to do an adequate job of defending yourself. If you do not like the attorney appointed to represent you, you could always petition the court to proceed pro se (without an attorney) at a later date.

You will need to file a discovery motion so that you can see the police report. This is typically filed on your first court date, along with the other pre-trial motions.

A second search of your person could probably not be justified by a concern for officer safety. Therefore, it is quite possible that a motion to suppress evidence would succeed.

I will be happy to clarify my answer if you need me to do so, or give you further explanation if you don't understand. If not, please click ACCEPT to pay Just Answer and me for helping you. Your positive feedback wins me points and costs you but a moment of time. A "bonus" awards me for an especially good job.



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Good luck and best wishes!

Gloria M

Please be aware that my answer is not legal advice, it is merely informational and educational. Fees I receive for answering questions are paid for information, not legal advice. This forum is designed to provide only general information, to give you a basis of knowledge. You and I have not entered into an attorney/client relationship, and I am not responsible for your legal rights. The only way for us to be in an attorney/client relationship is if you have signed a written retainer agreement with my law firm, and I am only licensed to practice law in Illinois. You should consult with legal counsel in your area for specific information relevant to your situation.








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Expert: Gloria M
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 3/9/2009

Lawyer

Attorney for 22 years. General Practice, Labor/Employment, PI, WC, Criminal, Family.

257 days and 13 hours ago.

Reply

glorieM, I will accept however the answers have yet to directally relate to my question . possibly I have failed to disclose important details in reference to the passenger in vehicle conciquently searched prior to search of driver, finding a small amount of methatamine passenger also apeared to be placed under arrest at that time . my ques tion is how and if this might effect defence of driver ? XXXXXXXXX

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