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 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.

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