New York Court of Appeals
The People of the State of New York v. John May
December 16, 199281 N.Y.2d 725
Summary
The Court held that the police stop of the defendant’s vehicle was an unlawful seizure because the officers lacked reasonable suspicion of criminal activity; consequently, the crack cocaine and related evidence were suppressed and the indictment dismissed. Judge Bellacosa dissented, arguing that the police conduct was a permissible common‑law inquiry and not a seizure.