Court Opinion

ID: 9701228
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 22:11:27.528004+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:21:21.074687
License: Public Domain

Wendell L. Griffen, Judge, concurring. I agree that we should reverse and remand in this case because the officer did not have reasonable cause to detain appellant after the traffic stop had concluded. I write separately to highlight that the transcript from the videotape of the stop plainly shows that Officerjeff Smith requested backup and formed his intent to conduct a canine sniff before he was notified that appellant’s license was suspended. At that point, the officer knew only that appellant was following another vehicle too closely and reported that he was traveling to New York City to visit his daughter for four or five days. He did not at that point know that appellant’s driver’s license was suspended or that the rental contract appeared to have expired. It is telling that the officer called for backup and formed his intent to perform a canine sniff when the only known or suspected illegal activity was that appellant was following another vehicle too closely. Sadly, this case demonstrates that the concept of reasonable suspicion is viewed — at least by the officer in this case — as justification to search a motorist’s vehicle when he pleases.