People v. Steffin CA2/75

INTRODUCTION

In this appeal, Andrew Steffin contends that the “spider crawl” method of a patdown performed by a police officer after a traffic stop under Terry v. Ohio (1968) 392 U.S. 1 [88 S.Ct. 1868, 20 L.Ed.2d 889] (Terry) was unlawful, and that the trial court should have granted Steffin’s motion to suppress the bag of methamphetamine found in his pocket during the search. Following the denial of his motion to suppress, on May 2, 2014 Steffin pleaded no contest to possession of methamphetamine (Health & Saf. Code, § 11377, subd. (a)), a felony,1 and was placed on probation and drug treatment under Proposition 36 (Pen. Code, § 1210.1). We affirm.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A. Testimony at the Suppression Hearing Witnesses testified to the following facts at the suppression hearing held on April 29, 2014:

1. The Traffic Stop Los Angeles Police Officer Matthew Mauldin and his partner were part of an undercover narcotics team working in the San Fernando Valley on the evening of June 30, 2013. They suspected individuals whom they watched entering and leaving a

On November 4, 2014, the voters approved Proposition 47, which amended Health and Safety Code section…