State v. Perez

OPINION

KEASLER, J.,

delivered the unanimous opinion of the Court.

After chasing David Perez — a theft suspect — to an apartment unit, Officer Kevin Pyeatt knocked on the apartment door. In response, Perez opened the door a crack. When he did that, Pyeatt smelled marijuana. We must decide whether a police officer needs reasonable suspicion before he talks to a person in a public place or knocks on a person’s door. We conclude that he does not.

Facts

Officer Pyeatt was in his police car when he heard over the radio that someone had just snatched a purse at a nearby Wal-Mart. The dispatcher…