Court Opinion

ID: 9694627
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 17:49:18.064971+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:12:08.248122
License: Public Domain

Justice WALLACE, JR.,
concurring.
I concur in the result. I continue to adhere to my dissent in State v. Crawley, 187 N.J. 440, 468, 901 A.2d 924 (2006), that when the police lack sufficient reliable information to conduct a valid investigatory stop, but could have conducted a field inquiry, a defendant’s departure from the police encounter may not form the basis of a violation of the obstruction statute. In the present case, however, once defendant pushed the police officer, the police had probable cause to arrest and search defendant. Accordingly, I concur.
For reversal/reinstatement/remandment — Chief Justice ZAZZALI and Justices LaVECCHIA, ALBIN, WALLACE, RIVERA-SOTO, and HOENS — 6.
Opposed — None.