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Wilson v. State

The trial court did not err in denying the defendant's motion to suppress the marijuana that an officer found during a search of his vehicle because the officer's observation that the defendant was not wearing a seatbelt authorized a brief investigatory stop.

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After a bench trial on stipulated facts, Andrew Wilson was convicted of possession of less than one ounce of marijuana. He appeals his conviction, contending that the court erred by denying his motion to suppress because police officers unlawfully stopped and searched his vehicle, and unlawfully prolonged his detention. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.

When an appellate court reviews a trial court’s order concerning a motion to suppress evidence, the appellate court should be guided by three principles with regard to the interpretation of the trial court’s judgment of the facts. First, when a motion to suppress is heard by the trial judge, that judge sits as the trier of facts. The trial judge hears the evidence, and his findings based upon conflicting evidence are analogous to the verdict of a jury and should not be disturbed by a reviewing court if there is any evidence to support them. Second, the trial court’s decision with regard to questions of fact and credibility . . . must be accepted unless clearly erroneous. Third, the reviewing court must construe the evidence most favorably to the upholding of the trial court’s findings and judgment.1

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