P. v. Rangel
This appeal arises from a felony conviction following entry of a guilty plea by defendant Daniel Juarez Rangel to possession of cocaine (Health & Saf. Code, 11350, subd. (a)), a felony, and to two misdemeanors, i.e., possession of not more than 28.5 ounces of marijuana (Health & Saf. Code, 11357, subd. (b)), and driving with a suspended license where the suspension was based upon driving under the influence of alcohol (Veh. Code, 14601.2, subd. (a)).[1] The guilty plea was entered after defendant was unsuccessful in moving to suppress the evidence supporting the drug possession charges.
In this appeal, defendant challenges the conviction, contending that the evidence used to secure the conviction of two of the offenses (i.e., the marijuana and cocaine) was the product of an unlawful search of his Mazda following a traffic stop. For the reasons below, Court conclude that the search of defendants car was lawful both as an inventory search of an impounded vehicle, and as a proper search incident to defendants arrest. Accordingly, Court affirm the judgment of the trial court.
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