State v. Mandel

CARROLL, J.A.D.

*111Defendant Stephen Mandel appeals the denial of his motion to suppress evidence seized as the result of a warrantless search of his vehicle. Defendant was charged with possession of less than fifty grams of marijuana in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(4). After his motion to suppress was denied, defendant entered a conditional guilty plea in Howell Township Municipal Court. On de novo review, the Law Division judge again found the search valid.

The pertinent facts are as follows. Howell Township Police Officer David Gilliland stopped defendant's vehicle after he observed it…