State v. Bourget-Goddard

The state appeals an order granting defendant’s motion to suppress evidence obtained as a result of a traffic stop on the ground that the arresting officer lacked probable cause to stop defendant for a traffic infraction. We reverse and remand.

The relevant facts are not in dispute. Officers Testa and Edwards saw defendant driving a 1977 Chevy Nova with a passenger in the front seat. The officers saw that the vehicle had shoulder belts and that neither defendant nor the passenger appeared to be wearing them. Specifically, the officers noticed that the straps appeared to be hanging down…