Opinion ID: 2313621
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Standard of review on motions to suppress

Text: On appeal, Lopez-Vazquez argues that the trial judge erred in denying his motion to suppress. We review the grant or denial of a motion to suppress for an abuse of discretion. [1] To the extent that we examine the trial judge's legal conclusions, we review the trial judge's determinations de novo for errors in formulating or applying legal precepts. [2] To the extent the trial judge's decision is based on factual findings, we review for whether the trial judge abused his or her discretion in determining whether there was sufficient evidence to support the findings and whether those findings were clearly erroneous. [3] Where as here, we are reviewing the denial of motion to suppress evidence based on an allegedly illegal stop and seizure, we conduct a de novo review to determine whether the totality of the circumstances, in light of the trial judge's factual findings, support a reasonable and articulable suspicion for the stop. [4]