State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent v. James J. Nishina, Defendant-Appellant

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed the Appellate Division's judgment, holding that the officer had reasonable suspicion to stop the defendant, that the pat‑down search of the defendant’s person was justified by probable cause and exigent circumstances, and that the warrantless automobile search was valid under the automobile exception. The Court reasoned that the totality of the circumstances, including the odor of marijuana and the defendant’s presence on school grounds at night, satisfied the constitutional standards.