State v. Ciucio

PATTERSON, Judge.

The state appeals from an order granting a motion to suppress and a motion to dismiss in a prosecution against appellee for the unauthorized use and possession of an identification card. See § 322.212(1), Fla. Stat. (1987). We reverse.

A police officer arrested appellee on misdemeanor charges and then searched her car and found a false identification card in her purse. The police may search sealed containers in the passenger compartment of an automobile when there is a valid arrest of a recent occupant of that automobile. New York v. Belton, 453 U.S. 454, 101 S.Ct. 2860, 69…