The “Good Faith Rule” applies when an officer relies on existing precedent that is subsequently changed.

 "From the Classroom"  - Ray Hill, Professor Emeritus, Santa Rosa Junior College

Ray Hill is a retired Police Lieutenant and Professor Emeritus at Santa Rosa Junior College. He has taught in the POST Basic Academy and Advanced Officer Training for 45 years.

The “Good Faith Rule” applies when an officer relies on existing precedent that is subsequently changed.

Here is an interesting appellate journey that started with a traffic detention in Sonoma. A CHP officer initiated a traffic stop on the defendant’s vehicle for a loud music violation and the driver repeatedly honking his horn. When the officer turned on the emergency lights, within seconds the defendant pulled into driveway of his Sonoma Valley home and parked inside the garage The officer exited his vehicle, prevented the defendant from closing the garage door, entered the garage, and began questioning. Defendant displayed symptoms of intoxication, failed field sobriety tests, and was arrested for DUI. His BAC was three times the legal limit.

   Lange’s motion to suppress the BAC evidence due to an unlawful residential entry evidence was denied in Sonoma County Superior Court. He ....

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