State v. Larson

— During a Terry 1 stop involving a vehicle, an officer who reasonably suspects the presence of a weapon inside the vehicle may conduct a limited protec tive search of the passenger compartment as needed to assure no one within the car has access to a weapon during the stop. 2 3We hold the state constitution similarly permits a limited protective search during a stop for a minor traffic infraction.

The trial court’s undisputed findings of fact establish that State Trooper David Scherf observed the defendant, Larry Larson, speeding in his pickup truck on Interstate 5 near Lynnwood. With lights…