State v. Vandenberg

OPINION

BOSSON, Justice.

{1} In this opinion, we trace the outer boundary of facts and circumstances sufficient to justify a protective frisk (pat down) for weapons during an ordinary traffic stop on the ground of officer safety pursuant to the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. We hold that a weapons frisk was reasonable under the circumstances of this case. The Court of Appeals having decided differently, we now reverse and affirm the convictions below.

BACKGROUND

{2} Jason Swanson and Shawn Vandenberg (Defendants) were indicted on charges of possession of marijuana with intent…