Jim Hannah

“ There is no question that this court has concluded that handing back the paperwork and giving the person a warning or ticket constitutes a legally recognized indicia that the law-enforcement officer has completed the traffic stop. However, the majority errs in concluding that the legal length of the traffic stop is controlled by when paperwork is returned. A law-enforcement officer does not control the length of the stop by when he or she returns paperwork. In other words, a law-enforcement officer may not withhold paperwork in order to extend the traffic stop beyond the time permitted by law. ”

“ Distilled to its essence, the idea set forth by the United States Supreme Court is that no one is harmed by the use of a canine except those who have contraband, so there is no just cause to object to the use of the canine. ”

“ The ability to go about one's business without official interference is a core element of liberty. The rule at present with respect to traffic stops is, that if a canine can be obtained prior to completion of the traffic stop, the dog can carry out a sniff with or without the vehicle driver's and passengers' consent. ”