Case Citation: Maryland v. Pringle, 540 U.S. 366 (2003)
Parties: State of Maryland, Petitioner / Appellant
Joseph Jermaine Pringle, Defendant / Appellee
Case Facts: On August 7th, 1999 a Maryland police officers legally stopped a car for speeding in the early morning hours. The car was occupied by three men, to include the Defendant/Appellee Joseph Jermaine Pringle. The Officer that initiated the stop saw a large roll of cash in the glovebox while the driver was retrieving his registration. All men were checked and cleared for outstanding warrants and a warning was issued to the vehicles driver. The officer requested and was granted permission to search the vehicle. Officers found $763.00 in rolled up bills in the glove box and as five baggies of cocaine between the armrest and back seat of the vehicle. All three occupants of the car stated they had no prior knowledge of the cocaine being in the car and did not know who it belonged to. All three men were arrested and taken to the police station. Once at the station, Pringle confessed that the drugs were his and the other occupants had no knowledge of their existence. Once at trial, Pringle attempted to suppress his confession, stating that it was the fruit of an illegal arrest. His motion was denied, and he was convicted of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. The Court of …show more content…
Police have probable cause to arrest passengers in a vehicle where an illegal substance are found, as the presence of drugs allows reasonable officers to conclude that probable causes exist that a crime has been committed in their presence. Due to the small and contained area of a vehicle it is reasonable to assume that all occupants have knowledge or possession of the illegal
Parties: State of Maryland, Petitioner / Appellant
Joseph Jermaine Pringle, Defendant / Appellee
Case Facts: On August 7th, 1999 a Maryland police officers legally stopped a car for speeding in the early morning hours. The car was occupied by three men, to include the Defendant/Appellee Joseph Jermaine Pringle. The Officer that initiated the stop saw a large roll of cash in the glovebox while the driver was retrieving his registration. All men were checked and cleared for outstanding warrants and a warning was issued to the vehicles driver. The officer requested and was granted permission to search the vehicle. Officers found $763.00 in rolled up bills in the glove box and as five baggies of cocaine between the armrest and back seat of the vehicle. All three occupants of the car stated they had no prior knowledge of the cocaine being in the car and did not know who it belonged to. All three men were arrested and taken to the police station. Once at the station, Pringle confessed that the drugs were his and the other occupants had no knowledge of their existence. Once at trial, Pringle attempted to suppress his confession, stating that it was the fruit of an illegal arrest. His motion was denied, and he was convicted of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. The Court of …show more content…
Police have probable cause to arrest passengers in a vehicle where an illegal substance are found, as the presence of drugs allows reasonable officers to conclude that probable causes exist that a crime has been committed in their presence. Due to the small and contained area of a vehicle it is reasonable to assume that all occupants have knowledge or possession of the illegal