The collective knowledge doctrine does not negate a hearsay objection.
Topic: DUI, Decided by: Judge Malihi
Docket Number: 1418740 , Decision Date: January 24, 2014
Attachment: Click here to download the decision.
Docket Number: 1418740 , Decision Date: January 24, 2014
Attachment: Click here to download the decision.
The collective knowledge doctrine acknowledges that officers are justified in relying on the statements of other officers in forming reasonable suspicion. The doctrine does not, however, allow for the arresting officer to establish that the detaining officer had reasonable suspicion necessary to conduct a traffic stop through evidence of the out-of-court statements of that officer. This would essentially constitute accepting the detaining officer’s statements for their truth—that Petitioner committed traffic infractions, thus giving rise to reasonable suspicion—which is the very definition of hearsay.