State of Maine v. Jeff Belony

Summary

The court held that the traffic stop was initially supported by objectively reasonable suspicion of license-plate and seat-belt violations, and that officers had sufficient information to investigate suspected drug trafficking after identifying Belony. It nevertheless vacated the conviction and suppression ruling because the trial court made clearly erroneous timeline findings and failed to determine whether officers unlawfully prolonged the stop before identifying Belony. The court did not decide whether the search of Belony was supported by probable cause. No separate opinions were provided.