State v. Contreras

Rene Contreras appeals his conviction for possession of a controlled substance. He was originally arrested for obstructing a law enforcement officer when Contreras refused to cooperate with a vehicle prowl investigation. During a search incident to arrest, officers discovered a baggy of methamphetamine in Contreras’ pocket. He argues on appeal that (1) his initial seizure and arrest were invalid; (2) his trial counsel’s representation was defective because (a) he did not move to suppress the methamphetamine as fruit of an illegal seizure and/or arrest and (b) the trial court would likely have…