Recent Decisions - Heien v. North Carolina (12/15/14)

            The case of Heien vs. North Carolina began when a North Carolina policeman stopped Heien’s car because it had a brake light that did not work. During the stop, it was discovered that Heien had cocaine in a duffle bag, and he was ultimately convicted for drug trafficking.  However, the North Carolina Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s decision under the reasoning that the traffic stop was not justified, seeing as North Carolina laws only require that one brake light be working.  The North Carolina Supreme Court then reversed that decision, stating that the officer’s mistake of the law was reasonable, and therefore did not invalidate his stopping the car or searching it to stumble upon the drugs inside.

            This ruling did not last long, as a dissenting judge pointed out that the decision was unfair, seeing as it insinuates that the courts hold citizens to the rule that ignorance of the laws is no excuse, but not the police. When the North Carolina Supreme Court rejected this appeal, Heien petitioned the Supreme Court.

            On December 15^th, the Supreme Court (in an 8-1 vote) held that search and seizure is reasonable under the fourth amendment even if the officer has made a minor factual or legal mistake (only, of course, if the officer’s mistake was reasonable, which the Court held was so in Heien’s case).