(DOWNLOAD) "State V. Mendez" by Washington Court of Appeals * Book PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: State V. Mendez
- Author : Washington Court of Appeals
- Release Date : January 18, 1997
- Genre: Law,Books,Professional & Technical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 57 KB
Description
Sixteen-year-old Efrain Mendez was a passenger in a car stopped by police for a stop sign violation. The driver and Mr. Mendez immediately got out of the car. Following police protocol, the approaching officer twice ordered Mr. Mendez to get back in the car. Instead of doing this, he initially walked and then ran away. After a brief chase, he was caught and arrested for obstructing an officer. A search incident to the arrest turned up a marijuana pipe, which Mr. Mendez admitted was his after being advised of his Miranda*fn1 rights. On appeal, the principle issue before the court is whether a passenger in a vehicle whose driver has been stopped for a traffic violation may be convicted of obstructing a police officer when, instead of heeding police commands to get back into the vehicle, he leaves the scene. We hold that an officer making a traffic stop may order passengers to stay in the car pending completion of the stop. Consequently, we affirm his convictions for obstructing a police officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.