QUESTION
Can an officer randomly run your plate while driving behind you?
Asked on Feb 27th, 2013 on Litigation - Iowa
More details to this question:
Curious about this situation. I've been pulled over because an officer ran my plate. I was just sitting at a stop light. After running my plate, he found I had a suspended license. Was it legal for him to do that?
19 ANSWERS
Yes. They do it all the time.
Answered on Apr 01st, 2013 at 2:40 AM
Ronald A. Steinberg
Yes, looking for outstanding warrants, etc.
Answered on Mar 01st, 2013 at 11:07 PM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Brighton, MI
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The Law Office of Steven M. Dodge, PLLC
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Yes.
Answered on Mar 01st, 2013 at 8:49 PM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Alhambra, CA
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Francis John Cowhig
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Yes
Answered on Mar 01st, 2013 at 7:56 AM
Drug Charges Attorney serving Houston, TX
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Cynthia Henley
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Absolutely. That is how the find many stolen vehicles as well as people with warrants (and people driving on suspended licenses.)
Answered on Mar 01st, 2013 at 7:53 AM
Michael J. Breczinski
Yes it was. It is in plain sight.
Answered on Mar 01st, 2013 at 7:53 AM
Criminal Law Attorney serving Melrose Park, IL
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The Law Offices of Carlos H. Davalos
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Yes.
Answered on Feb 28th, 2013 at 11:02 PM
Tax Attorney serving North Smithfield, RI
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The Law Offices of Mark L. Smith
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Yes that is public information and you do not have an expectation of provacy.
Answered on Feb 28th, 2013 at 9:17 PM
Personal Injury Attorney serving Charlotte, NC
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Paul Whitfield and Associates P.A.
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Yes.
Answered on Feb 28th, 2013 at 8:37 PM
Automobile Negligence Attorney serving Orlando, FL
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Kelaher Law Offices, P.A.
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They do it all the time. As a matter of fact, they have some new sophisticated computer/camera system where they just drive through a parking lot, and the camera "reads" the license plate numbers and the computer through a link checks on the owner of the cars.
Answered on Feb 28th, 2013 at 8:33 PM
James Edward Smith
Why not? It's public information.
Answered on Feb 28th, 2013 at 8:26 PM
Commercial Contracts Attorney serving Boise, ID
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Peters Law, PLLC
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Sure, he's waiting and wants to make good use of his time. The plate could have been on a stolen car or you could have been wanted for murder. Plus the plate is out in the open so there is no expectation of privacy.
Answered on Feb 28th, 2013 at 8:23 PM
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney serving Syracuse, NY
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Andrew T. Velonis, P.C.
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Yes, he can and it was. You were out in public with plates issued by a public agency and the licence records are available for law enforcement purposes.
Answered on Feb 28th, 2013 at 8:21 PM
It is not a illegal (a search) to use information in plain view.
Answered on Feb 28th, 2013 at 8:18 PM
Thomas Edward Gates
The officer was in his rights to do so.
Answered on Feb 28th, 2013 at 8:12 PM
Estate Planning Attorney serving Provo, UT
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Randy M. Lish, Attorney at Law
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Yes, they can.
Answered on Feb 28th, 2013 at 7:59 PM
Appellate Attorney serving Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
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Musilli Brennan Associates, PLLC
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Yes, that is allowed. That is why we have license plates.
Answered on Feb 28th, 2013 at 7:54 PM