Williamson v. State


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Docket Number: 2003-IA-01456-SCT
Linked Case(s): 2003-M-01456
Supreme Court: Opinion Link
Opinion Date: 07-01-2004
Opinion Author: Dickinson, J.
Holding: Affirmed and Remanded
Additional Case Information: Topic: Motion to suppress evidence - Anonymous tip - Investigatory stop
Judge(s) Concurring: Smith, C.J., Waller and Cobb, P.JJ., Easley, Carlson and Randolph, JJ.
Non Participating Judge(s): Diaz, J.
Dissenting Author : Graves, J.
Procedural History: Interlocutory Appeal
Nature of the Case: CRIMINAL - FELONY
Note: Petition for Permission to Appeal filed by Gregory Scott Williamson is granted.
  Party Name: Attorney Name:  
Appellant: Gregory Scott Williamson




 J. STEWART PARRISH



  
Appellee: State of Mississippi OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BY: WAYNE SNUGGS  
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Topic: Motion to suppress evidence - Anonymous tip - Investigatory stop
Summary of the Facts: This is an interlocutory appeal of a trial judge’s order denying the defendant’s motion to suppress evidence obtained as a result of an anonymous tip.
Summary of Opinion Analysis: The issue in this case is whether an anonymous tip which gives a vehicle description, direction of travel, and tag number, provides a sufficient basis for police officers who have independently observed no indication of ongoing or imminent criminal activity to make a stop. Reasonable cause for an investigatory stop may be based on an officer's personal observation or on an informant's tip if it bears indicia of reliability. The information provided to the officer in this case included the color of the van, the number and race of occupants, the license plate number and the direction of travel, including the name of the street. All of these details were verified by the officer prior to the investigatory questioning. Therefore, the trial judge’s finding that the stop was based upon reliable information and was reasonable is not error.


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