State v. Steffens

In this criminal case, defendant appeals the trial court’s judgment convicting him of unlawful possession of a firearm, ORS 166.250.1 Defendant assigns error to the trial court’s denial of his motion to suppress evidence obtained as a result of a police inquiry during a traffic stop. Defendant argues that the inquiry was an unlawful extension of the traffic stop and, therefore, violated his right, under Article I, section 9, of the Oregon Constitution, to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.2 We agree and, therefore, reverse and remand.

Whether an officer has unlawfully extended a…