State of Tennessee v. Jose Luis Gonzalez

Appellee, Jose Luis Gonzalez, was indicted by the Blount County Grand Jury for possession of cocaine with the intent to sell or deliver and possession of a firearm with intent to go armed in the commission of a felony. Prior to trial, Appellee filed a motion to suppress the evidence based on an illegal traffic stop. The trial court determined that the evidence seized during a traffic stop should be suppressed, granting the motion filed by Appellee. The State sought an interlocutory appeal on the matter, asking this Court to reverse the grant of the motion to suppress. After a review of the record, we determine police had probable cause to stop Appellant’s vehicle for improper brake light operation, or at minimum a reasonable and articulable suspicion the lights violated Tennessee Code Annotated section 55-9-402. As a result, we conclude based on the facts herein that the officer effectuated a lawful traffic stop of Appellee. Consequently, the trial court’s grant of the motion to suppress is reversed and the matter is remanded to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.