State v. Williams

¶ 1. This case involves a consent search of a vehicle, and the issue is whether the driver was "seized" for purposes of the Fourth Amendment when he consented to the search.

¶ 2. Defendant Lawrence Williams was stopped for speeding on 1-94. The state trooper conducting the stop issued a warning citation and returned Williams' driver's license and other paperwork, said "[wej'll let you get on your way then," shook hands, and headed back to his squad car. After two steps, the trooper abruptly turned around and began questioning Williams about whether he had any guns, knives, drugs, or large…