State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Appellant v. Alnesha Minitee, Defendant-Respondent; State of New Jersey…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed the Appellate Division and reinstated the robbery convictions of Alnesha Minitee and Darnell Bland, holding that the warrantless search of the SUV was valid under the automobile exception because exigent circumstances existed. The Court distinguished the earlier Pena‑Flores decision and relied on State v. Martin to support its conclusion. Justice Albin dissented, arguing that the three‑hour delay eliminated any exigent circumstance and that the search should have been suppressed.