Nicholas A. Barton Missouri Cases

Nicholas A. Barton was arrested by Poplar Bluff police officers in Campbell, outside their territorial jurisdiction, for felony robberies not committed in their presence. The circuit court sustained Barton's motions to suppress evidence, finding a Fourth Amendment violation. The Missouri Supreme Court vacated the circuit court's decision, holding that a warrantless felony arrest is constitutionally reasonable under the Fourth Amendment if supported by probable cause, even if the crime was not committed in the arresting officer's presence or within their jurisdiction. The Court also found that Barton's motion did not adequately raise a claim of lack of probable cause.