State v. Smith

STREIT, Justice.

Charles Leroy Smith was a passenger in a car stopped for a minor traffic offense. After issuing a citation to the driver, the officer asked Smith for identification. Smith handed over his ID, and the officer quickly radioed to see if Smith had any outstanding warrants. Upon learning there was a valid warrant out for Smith’s arrest, the officer took him into custody. During a search, methamphetamine fell out of Smith’s pocket.

The district court suppressed the methamphetamine, ruling Smith’s Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable seizures was violated when the police…