108k views
4 votes
The Massachusetts supreme court's decision in ____ refused to follow the US supreme court's decision authorizing the police to request that a driver step out of a vehicle when stopped for a traffic violation

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The Massachusetts Supreme Court decided against following the U.S. Supreme Court's precedent on allowing police to request a driver to exit a vehicle during a traffic violation stop, suggesting a distinct interpretation of search and seizure laws.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Massachusetts Supreme Court's decision referenced in the question pertains to a situation where the court refused to follow a U.S. Supreme Court precedent regarding traffic stops. The U.S. Supreme Court had established, notably in cases such as Terry v. Ohio, that police may stop a person if they have reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. This includes the authority to request a driver step out of their vehicle during a traffic violation stop. However, the Massachusetts court's refusal to adhere to such a decision implies a stance protecting individual rights or interpreting the law more stringently when it comes to searches and seizures.

User JoeCo
by
7.2k points