State of Iowa
v.
Earnest Jones Hunt, Jr.
Earnest Jones Hunt Jr. seeks further review after the court of appeals reversed the district court’s ruling granting Hunt’s motion to suppress evidence obtained during a pat-down search for weapons. The court of appeals found the seizure of the crack cocaine fell within the scope of the plain-feel exception to the warrant requirement. Hunt argues the search exceeded the plain-feel exception as the object in his pocket did not have the contour or mass that made it “immediately apparent” as contraband.
Appellee
State of Iowa
Appellant
Earnest Jones Hunt, Jr.
Attorney for the Appellee
Zachary Miller
Attorney for the Appellant
Bradley M. Bender
Supreme Court
Oral Argument Schedule
Non-Oral
Mar 23, 2022 1:30 PM
Briefs
Supreme Court Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Dubuque County, Michael J. Shubatt, Judge. REVERSED AND REMANDED. Considered by Tabor, P.J., and Greer and Badding, JJ. Opinion by Badding, J. (10 pages)
The State challenges the grant of Earnest Hunt Jr.’s motion to suppress evidence seized during a pat down for weapons. The supreme court granted the State’s application for discretionary review and stayed the district court proceedings pending resolution of this appeal. OPINION HOLDS: Because the search of Hunt’s pocket was justified under the plain‑feel exception to the warrant requirement as set forth in Minnesota v. Dickerson, 508 U.S. 366 (1993), we reverse the suppression ruling and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.