People v. Jones CA5

INTRODUCTION

On March 2, 2012, appellant, Alexandria Elizabeth Jones, was charged in a criminal complaint with transportation of methadone (Health & Saf. Code, § 11352, subd. (a), count I) and possession of methadone for sale (Health & Saf. Code, § 11351, count II). Appellant waived her right to a preliminary hearing and the complaint was deemed to be the information. At the conclusion of a jury trial, appellant was found guilty of count I and acquitted of count II. On August 28, 2012, appellant was placed on probation for five years on various terms and conditions, including that she serve 90 days in county jail. Appellate counsel has filed a brief seeking independent review of the case by this court pursuant to People v. Wende (1979) 25 Cal.3d 436 (Wende).

FACTS

On February 19, 2012, at ten minutes before midnight, Officer Eli Dillon of the California Highway Patrol was in a marked patrol car with his partner, Officer McDaniel, when he saw a van with a broken right brake light proceeding down the highway. This was a violation of the Vehicle Code. Dillon initiated a traffic stop. Appellant was driving. There were three passengers; a male in the front passenger seat and two…