State v. Juarez

Respondent Douglas Juarez was stopped by a state trooper for failing to signal his merge from an entrance ramp onto the right lane of an interstate. A subsequent search of Juarez's vehicle yielded nine pounds of marijuana. As a result, Juarez was charged with possession and possession with intent to deliver. Juarez filed a motion to suppress the search and seizure of the marijuana on the grounds that the initial traffic stop was illegal. The district court granted the motion, holding that Juarez was not required to signal his merge because Wyo. Stat. Ann. 31-5-217 did not require motorists to signal when merging onto an interstate roadway. On review, the Supreme Court affirmed, holding that (1) there is no basis in the statute to conclude that a motorist is absolutely required to signal to enter the interstate in every instance; and (2) the district court did not err in granting the motion to suppress. View "State v. Juarez" on Justia Law