People v. Barnett.

2024 CO 73. No. 24SA168. Fourth Amendment—Investigatory Stops—Searches and Seizures.

December 9, 2024

The supreme court held that a license plate registered to a different vehicle than the one it is affixed to provides reasonable suspicion of motor vehicle theft. Accordingly, the court found that deputies’ investigatory stop of Barnett’s vehicle and subsequent order to Barnett and his passenger to exit the vehicle were lawful. The court remanded to the trial court for additional findings regarding how the deputies discovered the glass pipe and further rulings on the propriety of the search.