Smell can be the basis for probable cause
Facts In 2005, Robert Robinson was pulled over for speeding in Bolivar County by Mississippi Highway Patrolman Dan Rawlinson. Rawlinson testified that upon reaching the vehicle, he detected the smell of raw marijuana coming from the passenger’s area where Robinson’s nephew, William Wilson, was sitting. Furthermore, Rawlinson noted the vehicle’s inspection sticker was expired, and […]
Removing drugs from a person’s underwear on a search incident to arrest is reasonable
Facts In 2006, Officer Christopher L. Keckler of the Gulfport Police Department stopped a vehicle for speeding. Jason Foxworth was the driver of the vehicle. Initially, Foxworth provided Keckler with a false name but then corrected himself and admitted he did not have a driver’s license. Foxworth was placed under arrest for driving without a license, […]
Under totality of circumstances, the Trooper’s stop for DUI was reasonable in this case
Facts In 2009, Trooper Jason Powell of the Mississippi Highway Patrol went inside the Exxon Truck Stop in Liberty, Mississippi, to buy a soft drink. While standing at the counter, Powell saw a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck pull up to the gas pumps. The driver of the pickup truck, Eric Bondegard, went inside and got a […]
Subject can’t be convicted of constructive possession when no evidence he ever drove or was affiliated with car
Facts In 2006, agents from the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN) were in Marion County, Mississippi, conducting a drug buy/bust operation. The target of the operation was “Teddy,” who allegedly was selling drugs out of a small, locally owned convenience store located on Highway 13 South. The MBN agents used a wired, confidential informant to […]
Lawful Traffic stop gives officers probable cause to stop car irregardless of their subjective motivations
Facts In 2009, a Choctaw County Deputy Sheriff and an Agent with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics were surveilling individuals known to be involved in narcotic activity. As they were driving by the home of a suspected drug dealer, a green Chevy Tahoe pulled into the driveway. The officers recognized this vehicle from undercover videos of […]
Conversation between two police officers is not an interrogation of an arrested subject in this case
Facts In 2007, Biloxi Police Officer Michael Brennan observed an African American male and three Hispanic males talking in Biloxi, Mississippi. Upon seeing Brennan, the three Hispanic males walked toward the park while the African American male began walking in another direction. Brennan observed the African American male stumbling and staggering and approached the male, Robert […]