Oregon court limits authority of out-of-state police

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The Oregon Court of Appeals has reversed a DUI conviction because the driver was pulled over by a Washington State Patrol trooper after he crossed into Oregon.
The Oregonian/Oregon Live reports (http://bit.ly/28MetxH ) that the court overturned the 2011 conviction of 40-year-old James Edward Keller of Beaverton. It found last week that the Washington trooper had no authority under Oregon law to stop Keller.
The ruling could send a message that unruly drivers and low-level criminals in neighboring states could avoid punishment by crossing into Oregon.
The Appeals Court says there is an exception for out-of-state police to stop people suspected of having committed a felony if the police are in ``hot pursuit'' of the suspects and chase them into Oregon.