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State v. Wentworth

Summarized by:

  • Court: Oregon Court of Appeals
  • Area(s) of Law: Criminal Procedure
  • Date Filed: 08-29-2012
  • Case #: A142846
  • Judge(s)/Court Below: Sercombe, J. for the Court; Ortega, P.J.; and Brewer, J.

Under ORS 811.370, a state police trooper has probable cause to believe an infraction has been committed when a motorist crosses a road鈥檚 white fog line with his or her vehicle鈥檚 tire.

Defendant appealed his conviction for the unlawful possession of marijuana. Oregon State Police Trooper Hargas (Hargas) pulled Defendant over after Hargas observed Defendant鈥檚 automobile鈥檚 tire cross the road鈥檚 white fog line on its outer edge. During the traffic stop, Hargas discovered over four ounces of marijuana. Before trial, Defendant argued that the marijuana evidence should be suppressed because the traffic stop was not supported by probable cause since crossing a fog line is not a violation of ORS 811.370. The trial court stated that Hargas had probable cause and denied Defendant鈥檚 motion to suppress. On appeal, Defendant made the same argument and added that Hargas' subjective belief that Defendant violated the law was objectively unreasonable because the tire crossed the fog line 鈥渋ncidentally and momentarily.鈥 The Oregon Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court鈥檚 ruling holding that crossing the fog line is a violation of ORS 811.370 and therefore, Hargas had probable cause. Secondly, the final argument was not preserved for appeal. Affirmed.

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