This is crazy, like, I don't feel the need to I don't even have to >> She's refusing to get out of the car. Laquavia, Laquavia, I'm not asking you. I'm telling you to get out of the car. I'm only going to give you a couple of more moments to get out of the car. Do you want me to break the window to get you out of the car? Because that's going to be my next step. >> On September 29th, 2023, at 3:30 a.m., officers stopped a vehicle on the 1500 block of 22nd Street for multiple non-functioning brake lights. >> What is she doing? >> Heavy in the 1500 block, 22nd Street. Stand by for a check. >> Hey, hey, hey, hey. Stop pulling in. >> Are we on 22nd? >> Yeah. Roll down your window. Roll down your window. Thank you. >> my license now. >> You live here? >> Yes, I'm coming home to get my cousin. >> Hey. Brian. She's our 10-17 from yesterday that ran. >> Who ran? Who ran? This is my car. Who ran? Who ran where? Who ran where? I don't know. Let me out of the car. >> No, you're not getting out of the car. This is a traffic stop. You ain't going anywhere. Oh, okay. Just making sure you know. Roll down this window, please. >> All right, it don't go down anymore. Okay. Who ran >> is this? >> It's mine, my mom's. >> Can you roll down that window, please, and shut off your music? >> Wait, what do you mean, ran? >> That window don't let down. None of the windows go down now, all of a sudden? >> That back window don't go down. Okay, that window right there, the passenger side window, can you please put it down cuz my partner's on that side right now and he's trying to speak with you. The front window. I'm not talking to you right now, man. >> window don't let down. That's the one that don't let down. >> Okay. Do you have your driver's license, registration, and insurance? >> Right there, um What that was, my cousin here shot. >> What are you looking for? >> We just asked you for registration. >> Okay. >> This is the insurance. >> Whose vehicle is this? >> It's my mom. >> Is your vehicle? >> No, it's my mom. It's mine, yeah. I paid for it. >> Okay. >> Here you go, away. >> Who's it registered to? >> My mother. >> Okay. So that window right there doesn't roll down at all, you're telling me? >> no, ma'am. >> Okay. Who lives here? >> I said my cousin. >> Your cousin lives here? >> Yes. >> What's your cousin's name? >> Barbara. >> Bar- Barbara? >> Bubba. >> Bubba? >> Mhm. That's the guy on the bike. He always ride a bike. >> What address are you at right now? >> I don't know. I'm not supposed to know everybody's address. >> I'm just asking. What address are you at right now? >> My mom stay That's 15th 15, I mean, 1373 or 1573. Okay. I don't [ __ ] know. I'm not going to call my mom. It's what my go-to bank card. Look under the seat. It probably is under the seat. Do you need this? >> Yep, whatever paperwork you have, I'll take. >> And then my insurance >> You got a driver's license? I only want to open that right now. I don't I can, but >> You just went through a driver's license right there. What was that one? >> That wasn't my driver's license. >> I just saw it. There's an ID. >> An ID? >> My sister's an ID or driver's license in there, yeah. Yeah, who's driver's is >> ID. >> Okay. >> It's with my go to Can you look back down the floor? It's with my go to bank card. It's a blue card. Yeah, I just used it at the store. It's a blue card. Card card card 15 card, please. >> Anybody got a medical marijuana card in here? You do? >> No. >> Oh. Does anybody have a medical marijuana card in here? >> Felicia used to have one, but she's not We just dropped her off. >> I'm sorry. I can't hear you. >> Felicia did have one, but that's who we just >> Are you Felicia? >> No. >> Okay. So So Felicia, who was in here, had a medical marijuana card? >> Yeah, that's who we just dropped off there. >> So is that why Is that why you think I'm getting the odor of marijuana? Is that what you're saying? Does she Does she Does she normally carry marijuana with her? >> She smoked marijuana all the time. >> Okay, was she smoking in your car before? >> She was just in here. We was just sitting out the side of the car. >> No, I'm just asking, was she smoking marijuana in your car? >> She was The door was open. She was standing outside the car. >> Mhm. >> That stop was constitutionally sound. Delaware versus Prouse. 440 US 648 1979 holds that a visible equipment violation gives officers all the justification they need to initiate a lawful traffic stop. Once the vehicle was stopped, the exit order was automatic. Pennsylvania versus Mims 434 U.S. 106 1977 gives officers categorical authority to order the driver out. No additional reason required. Maryland versus Wilson 519 U.S. 408 1997 extended that rule to passengers. Every occupant in that vehicle was legally obligated to comply the moment the exit order was issued, regardless of any personal objection. The marijuana odor claim added a separate legal basis. Carroll versus United States 267 U.S. 132 1925 established the automobile exception, which permits a warrantless vehicle search when officers have probable cause to believe contraband is present. The driver's own statements reinforce that probable cause. She confirmed a regular marijuana user had recently been inside the vehicle. Under Illinois versus Gates 462 U.S. 213 1983 admission carried real weight in the totality analysis. The purse search requires separate analysis. Arizona versus Gant 556 U.S. 332 2009 limits searches incident to arrest to the area within the arrestee's reach. Once the driver was outside and secured, the purse search had to stand on the automobile exception alone. Given the odor, the admissions, and the prior narcotics history confirmed in the same encounter, the automobile exception almost certainly provided sufficient probable cause. But the two doctrines are not interchangeable and precision matters when these cases reach a courtroom. >> Yeah, what's up with the cornstarch boxes? >> I eat cornstarch. >> You eat cornstarch? How do you eat cornstarch and just >> If you eat that in front of me, I'm not throwing up. Please don't do it. Please don't do it. >> But do you all eat it cuz she's got one up front here, too. So, ma'am, what what what's your first name? What is it? Naquavia? Naquavia what? What are you looking for? Why are you looking for your bank card? I didn't ask you for your bank card. What are you looking for? What is that? Oh. What's with your bank card? No, no, you're good. Okay. All right. No, I'm good. Okay. Sorry to hear that. Yeah. Irritating. All right. Um, can you call him over here? Officer them. Can I ask you what you're looking for? I just told you my license. I'm just keeping an eye on the driver here. Can you see if this rolls down, please? Cuz I mean it's it's it's very It doesn't roll down? And these will That's the furthest these roll down. Okay. All right. Thanks out here. Um definitely see from the car 100%. I'm going to have them come out. Okay, she keeps digging in that purse. And it's for the brake light. Only this top brake light is working. The rest of the other brake lights were not working. She brake this right in front of me three times and I didn't see the second brake light. Um She keeps digging. She keeps digging in that purse over and over and over again. >> Same one that we got the >> The same purse that we got the stuff out of. Um Plus we have this >> Do you want >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, um like I said, I'm getting the odor again coming from the vehicle. She said that her friend was just in the vehicle and her friend was smoking. So, are you good with us taking them out or >> Yeah, absolutely. >> You want to meet for a discussion here? >> Yeah, that's fine. That's fine with me. >> Let's meet for a discussion with the female. >> And where are you living now? >> All right, Niquabia. >> Whatever said about that. >> Niquabia, I'm going to have you step out of the vehicle, okay? >> Okay. >> But I need you to do it now, all right? >> Okay, I hear you. Why am I Why am I stepping out? >> You're stepping out of the car because I'm getting the odor of marijuana coming from inside of the car. >> I just told you Felicia was smoking. >> I asked you I just asked you to step out of the car. This is exactly what I was trying to avoid. So, please step out of the car. >> I would just say y'all y'all did >> Open the door and step out of the car. No, we're not doing this. Open the door and step out of the vehicle. >> You saying you smell >> Niquabia. Niquabia. I have every right to do what I'm doing and I'm asking you to exit the vehicle. >> You smell marijuana, but how would you How would you smell marijuana if we weren't >> admitted to me that there was somebody in your vehicle who was smoking in your vehicle. Open the door and step out. You're just prolonging the process. >> Crazy like I don't feel the need to I don't even have the >> She's refusing to get out of the car. I'm telling you to get out of the car. I'm only going to give you a couple more moments to get out of the car. Do you want me to break the window to get you out of the car? Because that's going to be my next step. I'm just I'm just letting you know. Keep an eye on her, please. Samantha Will you please step out? Look, this isn't going to go away. No, I'm not we're not doing this. >> But you you do your thing, Samantha. Will you please step out? >> Okay. >> We're not just we're not just >> why they're not stepping out of this car. Stop reaching for stuff. Yeah, just come right over here. >> Thank you. Really appreciate it. >> Don't don't get out yet. You just hang tight, okay? Do you want to come out of the car? Hey, you're not helping the situation here, all question here, right? All right, it's 3:30 in the morning. I don't think your lawyer's going to answer the phone. You can handle it from >> You You need to step out of the car. You need to step out of the car. This is not going to stop. You need to come out of the car. You're not being harassed. You're being asked to exit the vehicle. Nobody's harassing you. Get out of the car. This is not going to go away. You need to get out of the vehicle. No, I'm not backing up. Open the door. Back up for what? No. Open the door and I'll back away from the door. You need to get away from the door. I am not backing up. I am not backing up. You are making me worry about what your next step is. All you need to do All you need to do is open this door. That's all you need to do. That's all you need to do is open the door. All you That That's what's going to happen. And you're going to get property damage if you don't open this door. >> She going to get property what? >> Is this your mother's car? You may want to talk to her because the next step is I'm going to break this window to get in here. So, is that what she wants me to do? >> Well, what is going Window can go down. >> Okay. You need to get out of the car. I'm not asking you. I'm telling you to get out of the car. >> I feel like I'm being harassed. >> Okay. We're We're past that. We're past with the harassment thing. >> Can you please back up, ma'am? >> I'm backed up. Get out of the car, please. >> I'm not telling you to >> backed up enough. Get out of the vehicle. >> I don't want to hit you with the door. >> Okay, you're not going to hit me with the door. I promise you you're not going to hit me with the door. >> I don't feel safe at all, like that's crazy. >> Step over here. Step over here. Do not start walking away from me. >> I thought you said step over there. I'm sorry. >> Put the phone down. Put the phone down. >> What am I going to hear my phone? Grab my phone with me. >> I'm not >> even be aggressive cuz I'm not even being aggressive at all. >> Right now you're being detained. Cuz you're not paying attention to any lawful orders that are being given to you. So, right now you're being detained. >> Okay, that's fine. But all I said was I thought you said >> this. I didn't. I let you speak enough. >> All I said was I thought you told me to step over there. >> to go over to my car over here. >> Okay, which way? >> That That way. Right now you're just being detained. All right? >> That's fine. I'm It's okay. >> Right here. Right here. You got anything on you? >> No. >> 62 to dispatch. We're going to have one black female detained. >> Hang over here. Don't start pulling back. >> I'm I'm paying I just leaned against the car. >> we're not doing that. >> Not doing what? >> Don't reach >> My pants are falling. >> Listen to me. >> Y'all be You already doing it. You're really >> All you need to do is listen to what I'm telling you to do. That's it. If you do that, this will go smoothly. >> Okay, that's fine. >> Okay, but the minute you start fidgeting and doing other things >> All I did was you said I have a problem. >> I'm just letting you know. >> But you see how big my pants is. Go on my phone >> You go on this side. So you go on this side for me. Thank you. >> You know. Yeah. >> You have anything else on you? Anything in the car? >> Hey, that's not my car. >> Miranda. >> That's not my car. And who asking why you asking anything in the car and why you said Miranda? What that mean? Your body cam on? >> My body cam has been on since the beginning. Since I asked you to exit the vehicle and you refused to exit the vehicle. My body cam has been on this entire time. >> But what do when he said is there anything in the car you said Miranda? What that mean? Don't pull me like that. >> She just got her truck. >> I'm pulling my pants down man. I want my You What the You violating me now. >> What I just say? What I just say? I said if you literally just listen to what I'm telling you to do, we're not going to have a problem. >> had nobody search me like that. >> Okay. >> And then you got my crotch showing. These shorts What am I That's you now? >> Just come on this side for me. Thank you. >> That's you now? >> Yeah. >> You need to keep calling him. >> All right, let's put her in my car now. She can have a seat right here for now. >> Oh, my. I got a rising in my leg. I want to see my son. Can you loosen up this top this cuff right here, please? >> Okay. What's that? >> This one. >> No, we're not we're not we're not loosening up anything right now. >> even put your foot >> No, no, not right now. Just put your foot in. I Listen to me. I will adjust when when I'm done with my investigation, I will help you out. Can you just stand there with her in case she Please. Thank you. So, this was on her. >> Yeah. >> It looks like some shake on the bottom here. >> So, this looks like [snorts] a possibly MDMA rock. >> Where was that at? >> inside her purse in the same compartment. >> That she was reaching in the the entire time. >> Yeah, she was making furtive movements, too. >> There's there's a reason why she didn't want to exit this car. >> No, 100%. >> So. >> Jesus. >> Okay. >> All right, so it looks like there's going to be All right, some burned roaches there, which I'm going to grab. And All right. >> This was in the in the purse. >> In the purse? >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Like in the main compartment. And this is the same purse she had on her >> yesterday. >> when we dealt with her. >> Yeah. >> A bunch of hacks. >> After formal detention, an officer asked about contraband in the vehicle. The driver invoked Miranda. That instinct was correct. Miranda versus Arizona, 384 US 436 1966, attaches at the point of custody before any formal arrest occurs. The driver's verbal pushback was constitutionally protected throughout. City of Houston versus Hill, 482 US 451, 1987, holds that the First Amendment covers speech directed at officers. Profanity and accusations of harassment, standing alone, are not criminal conduct. Now, for grades, the lead officer receives a B minus. The stop was legally grounded. Supervisor authorization was obtained before the exit orders were issued, and no excessive force was deployed despite sustained non-compliance. Those are genuine positives. However, standing close to the vehicle door during active non-compliance contradicted basic officer safety standards. Reactionary gap and angular positioning are not optional. They exist because documented research on response time makes them essential. Regardless of how an encounter ends, the driver receives a C plus. The informal Miranda invocation showed real legal awareness, and the verbal protests were protected speech. But a 4-5 minute refusal of an exit order settled by the Supreme Court in 1977 was legally indefensible. That refusal also created independent criminal exposure through potential obstruction, entirely separate from any narcotics charges. Compliance under protest is still compliance, and it is always the legally safer choice. Passenger Samantha receives a B. She complied promptly with a lawful exit order, did not contribute to the escalation, and handled her portion of the stop exactly as the law requires. Her conduct is the useful point of contrast in this analysis. The department receives a C. The supervisory structure worked, and no force was misused. But tactical positioning gaps, ambiguity around window breakage authority, and an unnecessary comment about the driver's access to counsel point to training deficiencies that need to be corrected. Every encounter like this one produces lessons beyond the specific facts. Before closing, here are five takeaways worth carrying forward, whether you are a driver, a passenger, or someone who studies police accountability. First, Mimms and Wilson together make an exit order non-negotiable. Disagreeing with the officer's stated reason does not create a right to remain in the vehicle, and treating it as one creates new criminal exposure that was not there at the start of the stop. Second, what you say during a stop directly shapes what officers can legally do. Confirming a marijuana user was recently in your vehicle is not neutral. It corroborates an odor claim and contributes directly to probable cause for a search. Third, Miranda applies at custody, not at formal arrest. Once you are detained and officers begin asking about contraband, you are in the zone where Miranda matters. The right to remain silent is most useful before you have already answered the question. Fourth, the First Amendment protects what you say to an officer. It does not protect a refusal to comply with a lawful command. That distinction matters enormously because crossing from protected speech into physical non-compliance changes the legal category entirely. Fifth, tactical positioning is not a procedural formality. It is a life safety standard grounded in research. When officers abandon reactionary gap and angular approach during a non-compliance stop, they introduce physical risk that the legal framework cannot fully account for. If this analysis was useful to you, please subscribe to our channel and drop your questions or case suggestions in the comments below. Every case you bring shapes what we cover next, and we read every one.