People v Crawley

Holding The appellate court affirmed the judgment, finding that the evidence was sufficient to support the convictions for aggravated driving while intoxicated and related offenses, and that the warrantless arrest and vehicle search were supported by probable cause. The court further determined that the testimony regarding field sobriety tests was admissible as part of the narrative of events leading to the arrest.

The court’s words

Probable cause does not require proof sufficient to warrant a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt but merely information sufficient to support a reasonable belief that an offense has been or is being committed

2026 NY Slip Op 06488, at the official text

the officer's testimony about the SFSTs complete[d] the narrative of events leading [up] to . . . defendant's arrest for intoxicated driving and did not constitute inadmissible hearsay

2026 NY Slip Op 06488, at the official text

the subsequent search of the vehicle was authorized under the automobile exception to the warrant requirement, as defendant's erratic driving and his physical demeanor upon exiting the vehicle provided the officer with probable cause

2026 NY Slip Op 06488, at the official text