State v. Palmer

tBARRY, Judge.

The trial court suppressed evidence seized when police stopped the defendant for violating the safety belt law, La. R.S. 32:295.1. We grant certiorari and we affirm.

Facts

Trooper Kurt Vorhoff testified that he saw the defendant driving without a safety belt. Vorhoff activated his lights and siren. He said the defendant repeatedly leaned forward as though reaching under the seat, then stopped his car. The defendant exited his car in response to Vorhoffs order. He told Vorhoff that his driver’s license was in the car. Vorhoff followed the defendant to the car, shined a flashlight…