Police officers have to make various (often quick) decisions based on available data, as well as their knowledge and experience. Every case is unique, and it is hardly possible to avoid errors due to the lack of information, the outcomes of numerous circumstances, and personal misconceptions. Although Officer Taylor had a certain bias related to the appearance of the driver, she still followed all the rules, regulations, and standards. The case of Officer Taylor can be regarded as an illustration of possible pitfalls to avoid when being on service.
It can be difficult to note whether Officer Taylor’s preconceptions regarding the drivers’ appearance had an effect on her decision to stop the car. However, the officer had the right and even responsibility to stop, what it reasonably seemed to be, a damaged car. Officer Taylor also had reasonable suspicion to make the driver stop the care as it had similar characteristics to the vehicle involved in a road-side killing of a police officer. The pat-down was also legal as this measure is lawful when a car is stopped for “investigation of a traffic violation” (as cited in Walker & Hemmens, 2019, p. 174). The violation was the damaged taillight (as it reasonably seemed damaged).
The chase after the vehicle was also lawful as exigent circumstances existed for the police officer. Police officers can chase and conduct a search with no warrant if exigent circumstances exist (Casenote Legal Briefs, 2016). Officer Taylor had reasonable suspicion that the car was involved in a crime, but the driver refused to provide identification documents; instead, she tried to escape. This behavior suggests that the driver has been involved in unlawful behavior, so the chase was lawful. The gun was also legally obtained and can be used as evidence in the court as it was in plain view. The car was in the street, which is a public place and in plain view (Wright, 2019).
The gun was exposed in the passenger’s seat after the accident, so the officer could seize it. Moreover, there was a fair chance of the destruction of evidence due to a high risk of explosion. The police officer had the right to seize the gun and the driver’s purse.
Finally, the marijuana baggie was admissible in court as it was seized in a public place. The police officer was searching for identification documents and opened the purse. She had the right to open the purse since the driver was unconscious and could not do that, while the driver had refused to provide the documents earlier that night. Officer Taylor saw the baggie (used her senses to detect evidence) when she opened the purse, so it was in plain view.
In conclusion, it is possible to note that Officer Taylor acted within the limits of the existing laws, so her actions were lawful. The seized evidence was admissible in the court due to this fact as well. Although it turned out that the care was not damaged (so no traffic violations were in place) and the car was not involved in the side-road killing, the police officer had reasonable suspicion. The actions of the driver led to the accident as she could have pointed out that her taillight was not damaged, and she had to provide her identification card. The officer detected a number of unlawful possessions, so the driver has to stand trial after all legal procedures are conducted.
References
Casenote Legal Briefs. (2016). Casenote Legal Briefs for Criminal Procedure (15th ed.). Wolters Kluwer Law & Business.
Walker, J. T., & Hemmens, C. (2019). Legal guide for police: Constitutional issues. Routledge.
Wright, R. (2019). Criminal procedure: From the courtroom to the street. Wolters Kluwer Law & Business.