Case ID: f-appx_27/html/0198-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Michael Leon JONES, Defendant-Appellant.
    No. 01-4519.
    United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.
    Submitted Oct. 24, 2001.
    Decided Dec. 17, 2001.
    
      Richard C. Kerns, Newport News, Virginia, for Appellant. Kenneth E. Melson, United States Attorney, Matthew W. Hoffman, Special Assistant United States Attorney, Norfolk, Virginia, for Appellee.
    Before WIDENER, LUTTIG, and TRAXLER, Circuit Judges.
   OPINION

PER CURIAM.

Michael Leon Jones appeals his conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C.A. § 922(g)(1) (West 2000), contending the district court should have granted his motion to suppress his confession because it was obtained in violation of Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966).

We review whether circumstances create a custodial situation requiring Miranda warnings de novo and review the factual findings surrounding the interrogation under the clearly erroneous standard. United States v. Sullivan, 138 F.3d 126, 131 (4th Cir.1998). When a suppression motion has been denied, we construe the evidence in the light most favorable to the government. United States v. Seidman, 156 F.3d 542, 547 (4th Cir.1998).

Miranda warnings are required when an individual is subjected to custodial interrogation, and any statements made in the absence of prior Miranda warnings are inadmissible. United States v. Leshuk, 65 F.3d 1105, 1108 (4th Cir.1995). A suspect is in custody if he has been formally arrested or questioned under circumstances in which his freedom of action is curtailed to the degree associated with formal arrest. Id. An officer may conduct a brief investigative stop if the police officer has a reasonable suspicion based on specific and articulable facts that criminal activity may be afoot. Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 30, 88 S.Ct. 1868, 20 L.Ed.2d 889 (1968). Miranda warnings are not required when a person is questioned during a routine traffic stop or a Terry stop. Leshuk, 65 F.3d at 1108.

Officers who are conducting a lawful Terry stop may take steps reasonably necessary to protect their personal safety and to maintain the status quo during the course of the stop. United States v. Hensley, 469 U.S. 221, 235, 105 S.Ct. 675, 83 L.Ed.2d 604 (1985). A brief but complete restriction of liberty is valid under Terry. United States v. Moore, 817 F.2d 1105, 1108 (4th Cir.1987). Neither use of drawn weapons nor briefly handcuffing the suspect necessarily converts a stop into an arrest. See United States v. Sinclair, 983 F.2d 598, 602 (4th Cir.1993); United States v. Crittendon, 883 F.2d 326, 328 (4th Cir. 1989).

Because custody and interrogation were lacking while Jones was detained pursuant to a lawful Terry stop, no Miranda warnings were required. See Leshuk, 65 F.3d at 1108; Sullivan, 138 F.3d at 131. We find the district court did not err in declining to suppress Jones’ voluntary statements regarding his ownership of the weapon. Accordingly, we affirm Jones’ conviction and sentence. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED.