People v. Autry

Opinion

SILLS, P. J.

—A traffic officer asked Robert Autry to step out of his car for a “patdown” search. Autry complied and the officer felt two objects which were similar to hypodermic needles and syringes. The officer removed the objects—which were indeed two hypodermic needles and syringes—and arrested Autry, who was later found to have cocaine on him. Autry now claims the officer did not have enough information to justify the (warrantless) patdown search, nor enough information to believe the two objects were weapons. A United States Supreme Court case, Pennsylvania v. Mimms (1977) 434…