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Holden Caulfield 's Arrest On Drug Charges Essay

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Statement of Assignment
You have asked me to analyze the circumstances surrounding our client, Holden Caulfield’s arrest on drug charges to determine if the evidence seized in the arrest is subject to the exclusionary rule. I am to examine three aspects of the traffic stop and arrest, the initial stop, the extension of the stop, and the details surrounding the consent to search given by Mr. Caulfield.

Issue #1
Under Texas law, can evidence found during a traffic stop be excluded because the stop in question was for what would be considered a very minor offense?
Issue #2
Under Texas law, can evidence seized during a stop for a minor traffic violation be excluded based on the prolonged continuation of said traffic stop?
Issue #3
Under Texas law, can evidence seized during a routine traffic stop be excluded based on consent to search, when it is not clear whether consent was voluntarily given?

Brief Answer
Issue #1
Under Texas law, can evidence found during a traffic stop be excluded because the stop in question was for what would be considered a very minor offense?

No, police officers are justified in making a traffic stop whenever they witness a traffic violation. Mr. Caulfield did commit traffic infractions, and no matter how minor the violations, Officer Campbell was justified in stopping him for those infractions.

Issue #2
Under Texas law, can evidence seized during a stop for a minor traffic violation be excluded based on the prolonged continuation of said traffic

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