GAINESVILLE – Darrielle Williams was in his prison cell in Okeechobee, unaware that a state appeals court had ruled in his case that law enforcement officers can no longer justify searching a vehicle without permission because they say they smell the odor of marijuana.

The consequential decision in one of the most populous parts of the state threatens roadside drug enforcement and expands constitutional rights against unreasonable searches. It is so significant that the appeals judges urged the Florida Supreme Court to decide separately whether they got it right.

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