State v. Meharry

The state appeals a pretrial order suppressing evidence obtained in a warrantless search of an automobile, arguing that the search fell within one of three exceptions to the warrant requirement: (1) search incident to arrest; (2) the “automobile exception”; or (3) probable cause plus exigent circumstances. We review the trial court’s legal conclusions for errors of law, and we are bound by its factual findings if there is sufficient evidence in the record to support them. State v. Ehly, 317 Or 66, 75, 854 P2d 421 (1993). We affirm for the reasons that follow.

On November 8,2002, the Umatilla…