State v. Snow

While a police officer was in hot pursuit, defendant left his automobile behind and fled on foot. The question that this case presents is whether the officer could search defendant’s automobile without a warrant to determine defendant’s identity. The Court of Appeals held that the officer could do so, reasoning that the search fell within the automobile exception to the warrant requirement. State v. Snow, 179 Or App 222, 39 P3d 909 (2002). We affirm the Court of Appeals decision but on different grounds.

Just before noon on September 20, 1999, Deputy Sheriff Randy Lucas was driving on Highland…