Perez v. State

Jose Perez appeals his conviction, after a trial, of possession of cocaine. Because the trial court erred in allowing prejudicial testimony and prosecutorial comments, we reverse.

Perez was stopped by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) while driving in Miami. The officer stopped Perez because his truck had a broken tail light, and there were problems with the truck’s registration. The officer sought and received consent to search the truck. He and his canine searched the vehicle for drugs. The canine eventually discovered, hidden within the truck, a box containing cocaine. Perez was arrested and…