State v. Coleman

The state appeals from a pretrial order suppressing evidence obtained in a warrantless search of an automobile, arguing that the search fell under the “automobile exception” to the warrant requirement. We conclude that the automobile exception does not apply and that the warrantless search therefore violated Article I, section 9, of the Oregon Constitution. Accordingly, we affirm.

On October 9, 1997, police executed a warrant authorizing a search of a Medford residence for evidence relating to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine. In the course of executing that warrant,…