P. v. Jones CA3
While searching defendant’s car, deputy sheriffs found a handgun and ammunition. Defendant had been previously convicted of a felony. The prosecution charged defendant with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon (Pen. Code, § 29800, subd. (a)(1)) and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon (§ 30305, subd. (a)(1)).
Defendant filed a motion to suppress the evidence obtained in the detention and search of his car under section 1538.5. At the hearing on the motion, a deputy sheriff testified he stopped defendant’s car because the car did not have a front license plate, a violation of Vehicle Code section 5200, subdivision (a). While speaking with defendant, he saw an open beer container in the center console and asked defendant to step out of the car. Defendant first refused to get out of the car, but relented after the deputy opened the door and summoned additional deputies.
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