People v. Rives

In People v. Rives, 237 AD2d 312 (2d Dept 1997), lv denied 90 N.Y.2d 1013 (1997) the police stopped the defendant's vehicle in connection with a traffic violation. The arresting officer observed a glass pipe used to smoke crack cocaine, which apparently contained cocaine residue, on the front seat of the defendant's vehicle. The Second Department held that: "These observations, together with the driver's inability to produce a valid registration or driver's license, provided the police with both probable cause to arrest the defendants and to believe that the vehicle contained contraband." The Rives Court further held that the hearing court properly denied suppression of drugs hidden behind the glove compartment.