State v. Gary Coley

The State appeals the trial court’s order granting Gary Coley’s motion to suppress. We agree with the State that the trial court erred by treating the officer’s view of the facts as a mistake of law and reverse.

Factual Background and Trial Court Proceedings

Coley was charged with possession of cocaine and cannabis after his vehicle was stopped by an officer for an illegal window tint. Coley moved to suppress any and all contraband seized and statements made, arguing that there was no probable cause for the stop.

At the hearing on Coley’s motion, the officer testified that he had eight years of…