State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Alan F. Esteves, Defendant-Respondent

Summary

The New Jersey Supreme Court held that the warrantless search of the automobile was valid because the officers had probable cause, based on the sighting of a weapon and the need to obtain identification, and a legitimate safety concern. Accordingly, the trial court's denial of the motion to suppress was reinstated and the appellate division's reversal was reversed.