State v. Dortch

Louisiana Court of Appeal
State v. Dortch, 878 So. 2d 677 (2004)
2004 La. App. LEXIS 1079; 2004 WL 911775
Drew, Lolley, Moore

State v. Dortch

Opinion of the Court

WRIT DENIED.

Suspicionless stops are permitted under a variety of situations. State v. Eppinette, 36,825 (La.App.2d Cir.2/11/03), 838 So.2d 189. Public safety requires some flexibility for police to investigate and prevent crime. State v. Wesley, 28,012 (La.App.2d Cir.4/3/96), 671 So.2d 1257. For example, police officers are justified in ordering passengers out of cars, for officer safety. It may be a slight inconvenience, but it is not a serious intrusion upon privacy interests. State v. Landry, 588 So.2d 345 (La. 1991). Equally, a state law enforcement agent’s brief stop of a citizen on a public waterway as a known witness to an observed violation of safety regulations is not a serious intrusion upon privacy interests. See, Illinois v. Lidster, 540 U.S. 419, 124 S.Ct. 885, 157 L.Ed.2d 843 (2004).

Reference

Full Case Name
STATE of Louisiana v. Barry Eugene DORTCH, Applicant
Cited By
1 case
Status
Published