337 P.3d 936
Or. Ct. App.2014Background
- May 23, 2006: defendant, a passenger in a lawfully stopped pickup, was subjected to police questioning and information gathering after the stop for expired tags.
- Officer Cioeta asked defendant about warrants, defendant denied, provided identifying information, which was entered and checked for warrants.
- Another officer (Boman) had the truck driver and another passenger exit; the driver was cited, the other passenger arrested, and the truck was towed and inventoried.
- Cioeta then asked defendant to get out of the truck, asked about weapons, and obtained consent to search after defendant denied weapon possession.
- Defendant did not receive a statement that he was free to leave; the trial court denied suppression and defendant was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon.
- On remand, the issue is whether the encounter constituted a seizure under Article I, § 9, given the totality of circumstances and prior decisions.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Was the encounter a seizure under Article I, §9? | Parker argues there was a show of authority restricting liberty. | Defendant contends the encounter was a seizure due to police domination and requests for information. | No seizure; totality shows no significant restraint. |
| Do asking for identification and warrant checks, without coercive conduct, amount to a seizure? | Parker asserts these steps create a seizure as part of ongoing investigation. | Defendant argues such requests are noncoercive and do not by themselves seize. | Not a seizure when considered separately; not coercive enough. |
| Do combined actions (getting out of vehicle, requests to search, and identification) create a seizure? | Parker contends the sequence shows suppression-worthy restraint. | Defendant contends actions, taken together, do not amount to a seizure. | In combination, still not a seizure; not significantly restraining. |
Key Cases Cited
- State v. Ashbaugh, 349 Or 297 (2010) (rejected subjective stop test; standard for seizure defined by shows of authority)
- State v. Parker, 355 Or 751 (2014) (remand decisions guiding seizure analysis; multiple Parker iterations)
- State v. Highley, 354 Or 459 (2013) (limits on whether identification checks or probation status requests constitute seizure)
- State v. Backstrand, 354 Or 392 (2013) (show of authority and seizure definitions; emphasis on totality of circumstances)
- State v. Anderson, 354 Or 440 (2013) (seizure analysis under totality of circumstances; police actions considered cumulatively)
- State v. Dudley, 245 Or App 301 (2011) (seizure analysis when police request information and obtain consent; distinctions in context)
