PEOPLE v. CLEMENT (2022)

Judgment of conviction (Marsha D. Michael, J., at suppression hearing; Tara A. Collins, J., at plea and sentencing), rendered March 26, 2019, affirmed.

The court properly denied defendant's suppression motion. There is no basis for disturbing the court's credibility determinations, which are supported by the record (see People v Prochilo, 41 NY2d 759, 761 [1977]). The arresting officer's testimony established that the stop of the defendant's vehicle was lawful, based upon the firsthand observation imparted to him by a fellow officer, the latter having observed defendant driving without headlights (see People v Mitchell, 124 AD3d 912, 914 [2015]; People v Green, 13 AD3d 646 [2004], lv denied 4 NY3d 836 [2005], 4 NY3d 831 [2005]). Contrary to defendant's contention, “[a] police witness at a suppression hearing may establish probable cause by personal knowledge, as well as by information supplied by fellow officers” (People v Edwards, 95 NY2d 486, 491 [2000]) and where, as here, the knowledge of the imparting officer was based on his firsthand observation, the People were not required to produce that officer at the suppression hearing in order to satisfy their burden of going forward to establish the legality of the initial stop (see People v Ketcham, 93 NY2d 416, 420 [1999]).

THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE COURT.

Per Curiam.

All concur.