State v. Duncan

— This case presents the classic scenario where an investigation for one violation of law leads to the discovery of evidence for another, more serious, violation. While investigating the possession of an open container containing liquor in public, a civil infraction, two police officers uncovered a felon in possession of a firearm who was also carrying a purse and credit cards belonging to another individual. We are asked to determine whether we *169will extend the principles from Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 88 S. Ct. 1868, 20 L. Ed. 2d 889 (1968), to include stops for civil infractions and, more…