People v. Hamilton

Opinion

REARDON, J.

Vallejo police stopped the vehicle of appellant Hurmon Lamech Hamilton in reliance on a computerized report from the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) stating that the vehicle’s registration had expired. A search of Hamilton’s person and vehicle turned up cocaine base, marijuana and a firearm, leading to an information charging him with the unlawful possession of these items and alleging also that he had served a prior prison term. In fact, the vehicle registration was current and the DMV data was in error. Despite this, the trial court denied Hamilton’s suppression…