The latest Featured Decision video reports on the Supreme Court of Ohio’s decision that found a police officer may extend a lawfully initiated traffic stop to investigate the status of a driver’s license even after the reason for initiating the stop is dispelled.

A Supreme Court majority upheld the conviction of Quentin Fips. Officers stopped Fips after observing him driving with only one functioning headlight.  After initiating the stop and obtaining Fips’s information, the officers discovered that they might have been mistaken about his headlight. The traffic stop nevertheless continued, and the officers discovered that Fips was driving without a valid license and that he had an outstanding warrant. Acting on this information, the officers arrested Fips. A subsequent search of his car revealed crack cocaine and a digital scale.

The Court explained why officers were allowed to continue the stop after learning the headlights were functioning.