State v. Trenidad

The State appeals from an order suppressing evidence of a controlled substance found on the defendant during a pat-down search following his arrest, pursuant to what the officer thought was an outstanding civil bench warrant. The evidence was suppressed because the court found that the bench warrant had been quashed prior to the arrest.

The sole issue is whether a quashed warrant, when relied upon in good faith by the arresting officer, can be the basis of a valid arrest and a lawful search.

The facts are undisputed. A civil bench warrant for the defendant's arrest was issued on December 16,…