Opinion ID: 2630631
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: ¶ 1 This appeal concerns the validity of an automobile search. After finishing a routine traffic stop, an officer asked the defendant, Shayne M. Hansen, for consent to search his vehicle. Hansen allegedly consented. During the search of the vehicle and subsequent search of Hansen, the officer discovered drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine. ¶ 2 Hansen filed a motion to suppress the evidence, claiming that (1) he was illegally detained by the officer because the officer's questioning and the subsequent search exceeded the scope of the initial traffic stop, (2) his consent was involuntary, and (3) the evidence seized during the search was tainted by a prior police illegalitythe illegal detention. The district court denied Hansen's motion to suppress after finding both lawful detention and voluntary consent. The court of appeals reversed, concluding that Hansen was illegally detained and that he did not voluntarily consent to the search. State v. Hansen, 2000 UT App 353, ¶¶ 16, 25, 17 P.3d 1135. ¶ 3 We agree with the court of appeals that Hansen was illegally detained. We reverse the court of appeals' conclusion that Hansen's consent was involuntary, however. We nevertheless affirm the court of appeals' decision on the alternative ground that the search was tainted by the illegal detention.