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

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed the Appellate Division, holding 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 wrongdoing, and therefore the cocaine seized must be suppressed. Justice Stein, in a concurring opinion, agreed with the result but argued the rule should be a prophylactic rule rather than a constitutional requirement.