Who thinks it's OK for the police to check your license with out you doing anything wrong?

scooter12589

I think it is absolutly fine. Many criminals are caught by simple traffic stops. Running a plate would easily tell the cop of some warrants, APBs that they wouldn't find without it.

gatesfam@swbell.net

...remember - driving is a priviledge, not a right. Also, remember that the police are there to protect you - not harrass you. Obviously, she may have looked like someone or may have unintentionally done something that triggered an interest in the officer.

Oh yeah, is your Mom hot? Just curious - because the officer may have been interested in getting her number, or something, just in case she was single.

She didn't get a ticket, right?

cyanne2ak

You don't know that for fact. Also, her car could have matched the description of a stolen vehicle, which happens frequently. Sadly, most people don't know their own license plate numbers. I would bet that is what happened. Her car might also be similar to that of a known parolee in violation. If he ran her plates and her license, he was probably matching her to the car to make certain it wasn't a stolen vehicle.

bluffmike

When the state grants the privilege to drive on public property, it has the right to check the permits issued.

bostonianinmo

The police are permitted to check documentation without further cause. It's possible that something suspicious was revealed when he ran the plates.

By stopping her and verifying that everything was OK, it's very likely that he updated the erroneous information in the system which should reduce the chances of her being pulled over again for a routine check.

hswatsonaz

It is their procedure. They may have had a APB posted on a car similiar to hers and was checking to see if it was stolen. It's not necessarily about the person they stopped. They may be looking for someone else.

dezzygurl

Technically, it isn't right, but all officers need is probable cause that a crime occurred. Your mother didn't have to do anything, but probable cause of a police officer is very difficult to disapprove.

oklatom

You say she did nothing wrong. How do we know that? Did she turn without signaling her intention to turn? Probable cause to stop her. Were all the lights working on the car, including the license plate light? If not, there's the probable cause. Was there an armed robbery in the neighborhood with a vehicle description matching her car? Was there dirt on the sticker where they couldn't read if it was current? All those are reasons to stop and check.

Then of course there is the general "Does this vehicle belong in this neighborhood at this time" feeling which leads to it being checked. A Lincoln or Cadillac in the ghetto at midnight, or a junker in Beverly Hills. Was she driving under or over the speed limit? All legitimate reasons to stop and check. For that matter a random road block check has been ruled to be within the rights of the police. (Then there is the ever popular out of state plates.)

Add to that the legal term used in some places, mopery. "Driving down the street with no clear destination or purpose". How's that for a judgment call?

vihlee

Not ok

Rondi

They have nothing better to do and its good so they can catch the real criminals.

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