State of Idaho v. Troy Nathaniel Trotta

Boise, Idaho criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with r trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs.



While on patrol, Officer Biagi observed a vehicle make an illegal right turn using a lane of travel rather than the right turn lane.[1] Officer Biagi conducted a traffic stop. The vehicle did not pull into the parking lot but stopped in the entryway, partially blocking the entrance to the parking lot of a business and the back left tire was still touching the roadway. Trotta was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Officer Biagi observed Trotta using quick, jerky movements and his pupils appeared constricted; because the stop occurred at night, the pupils should have been dilated not constricted. Officer Biagi conducted field sobriety tests. Trotta informed Officer Biagi that Trotta had taken hydrocodone or Norco due to a recent dental procedure. Trotta was then arrested for DUI based upon his poor performance on the field sobriety tests. Officer Biagi remained with the vehicle. Officer Biagi called his supervisor to seek permission to have the vehicle impounded, which was granted. Subsequently, Officer Biagi searched the vehicle and found a backpack in the rear seat which contained methamphetamine.



The State charged Trotta with trafficking in methamphetamine (Idaho Code § 37-2732B(a)(4)(C)), possession of drug paraphernalia (I.C. § 37-2734A), and DUI (I.C. § 18-8004). The State also alleged that Trotta is a persistent violator of the law (I.C. § 19-2514). Trotta filed a motion to suppress the evidence obtained from the search. The district court denied the motion. At trial, a jury found Trotta guilty of all charges. The State dismissed the persistent violator enhancement.

The Defendant was found guilty.



At sentencing, the district court entered an order to amend the inaccuracies in the presentence investigation report (PSI).



Affirmed