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Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Morris I. Clemons
Date: 07-01-2025
Case Number: 24-P-1004
Judge: Not Available
Court: Superior Court, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Plaintiff's Attorney: Suffolk County Massachusetts District Attorney's Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Boston Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory
Description:
Boston, Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer represented the defendant charged with drug possession.
At about 9:32 P..M. on November 6, 2022, Officer Tredeau saw the Toyota stopped to the side of a roadway. The Toyota's brake lights were on, its transmission was in drive, and the defendant, who was its sole occupant, was slumped over and asleep with his foot on the brake pedal. When Officer Tredeau knocked on the window, the defendant awoke and took his foot off the brake, causing the Toyota to move forward slowly; Officer Tredeau told him to put the Toyota in park, and he complied. Asked for his license and registration, the defendant took a folder from the glove compartment and searched through it. The defendant then reached down with both hands between his legs; the judge found that he was "reaching for a bag on the floor." Because the defendant was showing signs of impairment, Officer Tredeau ordered him out of the Toyota and administered field sobriety tests, which the defendant performed satisfactorily. Officer Tredeau did not form an opinion that the defendant was under the influence of any substance.
* * *
Legal issue Did the police have probable cause or justification for conducting a search of the vehicle based on the presence of a corner-cut baggie and the defendant's behavior?
Headnote
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE. SEARCH AND SEIZURE. The case examines whether the police had probable cause to search a vehicle under the automobile exception to the warrant requirement after observing a corner-cut baggie in the vehicle, ultimately affirming the suppression of evidence due to the lack of police testimony regarding the significance of the baggie.
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE. PROTECTIVE SWEEP. The court evaluates whether a protective sweep of a vehicle was justified based on officer safety during a traffic stop, concluding that the evidence presented was insufficient to establish a reasonable basis for such a search.
Key Phrases Probable cause. Protective sweep. Motion to suppress. Officer safety. Corner-cut baggie.
At about 9:32 P..M. on November 6, 2022, Officer Tredeau saw the Toyota stopped to the side of a roadway. The Toyota's brake lights were on, its transmission was in drive, and the defendant, who was its sole occupant, was slumped over and asleep with his foot on the brake pedal. When Officer Tredeau knocked on the window, the defendant awoke and took his foot off the brake, causing the Toyota to move forward slowly; Officer Tredeau told him to put the Toyota in park, and he complied. Asked for his license and registration, the defendant took a folder from the glove compartment and searched through it. The defendant then reached down with both hands between his legs; the judge found that he was "reaching for a bag on the floor." Because the defendant was showing signs of impairment, Officer Tredeau ordered him out of the Toyota and administered field sobriety tests, which the defendant performed satisfactorily. Officer Tredeau did not form an opinion that the defendant was under the influence of any substance.
* * *
Legal issue Did the police have probable cause or justification for conducting a search of the vehicle based on the presence of a corner-cut baggie and the defendant's behavior?
Headnote
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE. SEARCH AND SEIZURE. The case examines whether the police had probable cause to search a vehicle under the automobile exception to the warrant requirement after observing a corner-cut baggie in the vehicle, ultimately affirming the suppression of evidence due to the lack of police testimony regarding the significance of the baggie.
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE. PROTECTIVE SWEEP. The court evaluates whether a protective sweep of a vehicle was justified based on officer safety during a traffic stop, concluding that the evidence presented was insufficient to establish a reasonable basis for such a search.
Key Phrases Probable cause. Protective sweep. Motion to suppress. Officer safety. Corner-cut baggie.
Outcome:
Motion to suppress granted.
Affirmed
Affirmed
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Morris I. Clemons?
The outcome was: Motion to suppress granted. Affirmed
Which court heard Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Morris I. Clemons?
This case was heard in Superior Court, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, MA. The presiding judge was Not Available.
Who were the attorneys in Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Morris I. Clemons?
Plaintiff's attorney: Suffolk County Massachusetts District Attorney's Office. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Boston Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory.
When was Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Morris I. Clemons decided?
This case was decided on July 1, 2025.