Suppression Motion Should Not Have Been Granted, Officers Had “Objective Credible Reason” to Approach.

In an appeal by the People, the Fourth Department determined the suppression motion should not have been granted for the reasons relied on by the suppression court.  The Fourth Department found that the officers who approached two men and asked the non-threatening question “What’s up guys” had “an objective credible reason not necessarily indicative of criminality” for doing so.  The men were seen walking from a private driveway toward a car in a public parking lot for a recreation area.  The men were dressed “pretty heavy” for the mid-70-degree weather, unlike the bikers and hikers who use the park.  And there had been a number of daytime burglaries in the area.  People vs Johnston, 8, KA 12-01414 Fourth Dept. 2-8-13

DeBour, street stops