Opinion ID: 2386590
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Consent to Additional Questioning

Text: [¶ 13] While in the patrol car, the trooper issued a written warning and returned Mr. Frazier's driver's license and registration. Mr. Frazier then exited the patrol car and the trooper initiated additional questioning. Mr. Frazier contends that he did not voluntarily consent to the additional questioning and was, therefore, improperly detained by the trooper. [¶ 14] In determining whether consent is voluntary, we consider the totality of the circumstances including how law enforcement phrased the request, whether the officer told the individual that he could refuse the request, and the presence of other coercive factors. Grant v. State, 2004 WY 45, ¶ 22, 88 P.3d 1016, 1021 (Wyo.2004). We must consider all the circumstances surrounding the encounter to determine whether a reasonable person would have felt free to decline the officer's requests or otherwise terminate the encounter. Id. (quotation marks omitted). [¶ 15] When the trooper re-initiated contact with Mr. Frazier, he asked: Do you mind if I ask you a few more questions? Mr. Frazier replied: Yeah, sure, and the trooper followed up by stating: Just so you know you don't have to answer any more questions if you don't want to. He directed Mr. Frazier to the side of the road, apparently for safety reasons, and asked additional questions. He did not threaten Mr. Frazier or block his way. Mr. Frazier does not identify the presence of any other coercive factors which may have affected his decision to answer more questions. Under these circumstances, a reasonable person would feel free to decline the trooper's requests. Indeed, Mr. Frazier declined the trooper's request to search the vehicle later in the conversation. Because Mr. Frazier voluntarily consented to the questioning, he was not unlawfully detained during this stage of the stop.