Office Johnson saw Troy, a known drug dealer, leaving a house where the occupants of the house are suspected drug dealers. Officer Johnson followed Troy and, when Troy failed to come to a complete stop at a stop sign, Officer Johnson pulled Troy over. Officer Johnson learned Troy had an outstanding warrant, had Troy get out the vehicle, and placed Troy under arrest. Officer Johnson searched Troy and found cocaine in the pocket of Troy’s jeans. Troy moved to have the cocaine suppressed. What was the outcome?

Question

a. Troy’s motion was successful because Officer Johnson exceeded the scope of the search incident to arrest exception to the warrant requirement.
b. Troy’s motion was successful because Officer Johnson used the stop as a pretext to hoping to find narcotics.
c. Troy’s motion was not successful as Officer Johnson had a valid reason to pull Troy over and conducted a search within the scope of a search incident to a lawful arrest.
d. Troy’s motion was not successful as Officer Johnson had reasonable suspicion to make the stop based on having seen Troy leave a known drug house.

Answer 1

c. Troy’s motion was not successful as Officer Johnson had a valid reason to pull Troy over and conducted a search within the scope of a search incident to a lawful arrest.