State of Connecticut v. Christopher Jenkins

Summary

The court reversed the Appellate Court and held that police may ask questions unrelated to a traffic violation and request consent to search during a routine traffic stop so long as those actions do not measurably or unreasonably prolong the stop. The defendant voluntarily consented to the search, and his consent objectively extended to the vehicle's interior and unlocked center-console compartment. The court also held that the Connecticut Constitution provides no greater protection in this context than the federal Constitution. Justice Palmer, dissenting, would have required an advisement that the defendant could refuse consent and leave after receiving the ticket.