State v. Tibbles

¶1 — This case calls upon us to consider once again the scope of an individual’s privacy interests under Washington Constitution article I, section 7 in the context of a warrantless automobile search. Micah Tibbies seeks review of his misdemeanor convictions for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia arising from a search of his vehicle following a traffic stop. During the stop, Trooper Norman Larsen detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from Tibbles’s car. Though he did not arrest Tibbies or seek a warrant, he searched the car. The district court, superior court, and Court of…