State v. Hall, Unpublished Decision (12-14-2001)
State v. Hall, Unpublished Decision (12-14-2001)
Opinion of the Court
The following facts are relevant to this appeal. On September 5, 2000, appellant was charged with violations of R.C.
In his sole assignment of error, appellant challenges the trail court's denial of his motion to suppress. This court finds no merit in this assignment of error.1
In a motion to suppress, the trial court assumes the role of trier of fact, and, as such, is in the best position to resolve questions of fact and evaluate witness credibility. State v. Mills (1992),
The Fourth Amendment is not implicated in every police-citizen encounter. "Only when the officer, by means of physical force or show of authority" restrains "the liberty of a citizen" does an encounter rise to the level of a "seizure" for which Fourth Amendment concerns arise.Terry, supra,
In State v. Wolske (May 29, 1998), Wood App. No.
WD-97-061, unreported, under facts similar to the case sub judice, this court found that a consensual encounter occurred when the defendant's vehicle was already stopped and the officer approached the defendant's vehicle based upon an anonymous tip of a possible DUI. Therefore, the Fourth Amendment was not implicated. An officer need not possess reasonable suspicion or probable cause to initiate a consensual encounter. State v. Bennett (June 21, 2000), Ross App. No. 99 CA 2509, unreported.
Upon consideration of the record and on authority of this court's decision in Wolske, supra, this court finds that the trial court did not err in denying appellant's motion to suppress. Accordingly, appellant's assignment of error is found not well-taken.
On consideration whereof, the court finds that the defendant was not prejudiced or prevented from having a fair trial, and the judgment of the Ottawa County Municipal Court is affirmed. It is ordered that appellant pay court costs for this appeal.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27. See, also, 6th Dist.Loc.App.R. 4, amended 1/1/98.
Richard W. Knepper, J., Mark L. Pietrykowski, P.J., Judge, CONCUR.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.