Opinion ID: 1542303
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Evidence Obtained Inadmissible

Text: It is indisputable that but for his improper traffic stop of the vehicle, Corporal Hake would not have had any contact with its occupants and thus, would not have had an opportunity to see the drugs on the driver's seat and in the center console. Corporal Hake's view of those drugs provided the probable cause to impound the vehicle and arrest its driver and McDonald. The search conducted incident to McDonald's arrest uncovered the additional drugs McDonald had on his person. Without probable cause to stop the vehicle for a traffic violation, the stop was unreasonable and in violation of McDonald's Fourth Amendment rights. [19] It has long been established that any evidence recovered or derived in violation of the Fourth Amendment may not be introduced at trial for the purpose of proving the defendant's guilt. [20] All of the police action taken after the traffic stop was a direct result of the improper traffic stop that violated McDonald's Fourth Amendment rights. The Superior Court erred as a matter of law by denying McDonald's motion to suppress.