For summaries from opinions prior to August, 2018, view PDF versions here.
State of Iowa
v.
Lowell Allan Ewalt
Appellee
State of Iowa
Appellant
Lowell Allan Ewalt
Attorney for the Appellee
Linda J. Hines, Assistant Attorney General
Attorney for the Appellant
Thomas P. Frerichs
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Buchanan County, Kellyann M. Lekar, Judge. AFFIRMED. Considered by Potterfield, P.J., Bower, J., and Blane, S.J. Opinion by Blane, S.J. (11 pages)
Lowell Ewalt appeals from his conviction for possession of a controlled substance (marijuana). He challenges the district court’s denial of his motion to suppress evidence obtained after the initiation of a routine traffic stop for speeding. Ewalt maintains the officer unconstitutionally extended the duration of the stop; he also argues that he should have been told his Miranda rights before the officer asked him questions pertaining to his use of marijuana. OPINION HOLDS: Because the extension of the duration of the stop was supported by reasonable suspicion and because Ewalt was not in custody—and Miranda requirements had not been triggered—when he made incriminating statements to Trooper Smith, Ewalt’s constitutional rights were not violated. The district court properly denied Ewalt’s motion to suppress.