State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Brian L. Smith, Defendant-Respondent; State of New Jersey…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey held that a police officer may order a passenger out of a lawfully stopped vehicle when specific, articulable facts create a heightened sense of danger, and that a protective pat‑down of that passenger is valid under Terry when reasonable suspicion of danger exists. Applying those principles, the Court reversed the appellate court’s suppression ruling for Smith and affirmed the denial of suppression for Muhammad.