State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Steven J. Carty, Defendant-Respondent

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey held that a consent to search a motor vehicle after a lawful traffic stop is invalid unless the officer has reasonable and articulable suspicion that the search will reveal evidence of criminal activity, and affirmed the Appellate Division's suppression of the cocaine seized from the defendant. Justice Stein concurred, agreeing with the result but arguing the rule should be a prophylactic rule rather than a constitutional requirement.