Law Enforcement of front license plates in California...another scam?

Question

I was pulled over the other day by LAPD for not having a license plate on the front of my car.

I asked the officer, does it present a saftey hazard? Or are you implying that I run red-lights?
When was the last time you wrote a ticket for tailgating(which is a true safety issue), and he could not remember...I then asked him for proof that he had insurance on the cruiser he was driving(and he could not).

I was let off with a warning...gee, thanks...now start enforcing laws that produce results in safety for all drivers, not just $$$ for the city's bank account.

P.S. Studies have shown intersections with camera's show an actual INCREASE in accidents, because yellow lights were purposely shortened to generate REVENUE, not SAFETY, as we were duped into believing...

People who argue "that's the law" are like mindless sheep.

It is your DUTY as an American to question govt. (Ben Franklin)

Answer 1

Call me a sheep all you want, but I have a mind. If the law in Cali if that you display a tag on the front and back of you car, then do what it says. It's that simple. I find it funny that you asked the officer those questions and that he actually answered them. I don't answer retarded questions like those when drivers ask me stupid things that don't relate directly to the specific offense that they committed. You should be lucky and grateful that he let you off with a warning. You would not have had that opportunity with me. Maybe that's because I do write tailgating citations.

You also have to remember that safety regulations are not all there is to the law. Let's just suppose that the car the officer saw without a tag on the front was stolen. It may have caused the officer to turn around on the car to investigate why there was no tag on it, even though the thief was driving within the roadway rules.

As for those rigged intersections, I agree with you. Those agencies should have the devices removed by the state and fined heavily.

Answer 2

Here's the law.

CVC 5200 - California law requires that motor vehicles, with certain exceptions, have to have a front plate.

Getting a ticket for CVC 5200 is correctable and, therefore, does not generate revenue for the city. I wonder why else the officer might have stopped you....

Here's a thought... I have been a cop for 11 years and have stopped hundreds of cars for no license plate light, no front plate, improper display of registration tabs, etc. I would guess that I have written less than five tickets for these petty law violations. However, I have made hundreds of arrests that started with one of these stops. Of course, when I made the stop i had no intention of writing a ticket, my intention was (1) find a way to get into the car and (2) arrest the occupant(s) if they are breaking the law.

Sound iffy??? Of course it is totally legal. It's referred to in police circles as a PRETEXT TRAFFIC STOP. The supreme court has upheld the legality of these tactics over and over. Here is the legal citation for one such case - Whren v. U.S.
1996 WL 305735 (1996). You ever watch those reality TV cop shows. Ever wonder when a guy driving four mile per hour over the speed limit on the freeway gets stopped by a narcotics police fficer and they find 100 pounds of marijuana in the car. Do you really think that the traffic stop was a random stop for going four MPH over the limit? Of course not...

So I guess the next question is did the officer stop you because he was on a mission to enforce pointless front license plate laws or was he looking for something more....

Answer 3

This seems like more of a soap-box then a question, but I'll take a stab at a couple of your points.

- Not having a front license plate is probably not a safety issue vis a vis preventing accidents, but it is a law. It's also a safety issue for police. A peace officer needs to be able to identify a vehicle from the front or back for his/her security.
- Most cities, and the City of Los Angeles is almost certainly included, are self-insured. They don't have to carry proof of insurance. Peace officers are also exempt from the California Vehicle Code while on duty.
- With your attitude, it seems almost a miracle you didn't receive a citation. The fact is, you're required to have a front license plate regardless of your personal opinion.
- And finally, a piece of advice; the next time you're at your University's library, just show your ID. It'll save you a ton of trouble.

Answer 4

Having the front license plate allows your vehicle to be ID-ed easier/faster since they can be in front of you, as well as behind, and get your tag. In addition, most vehicles missing their front tags are either ones in which the tag was stolen, or the car is stolen, or both.

You shouldn't be driving through yellow lights at all.

Worry about yourself and quit harassing PD. Most officers are doing the best they can under the circumstances.

Answer 5

Plates are required on vehicles for both the front and rear.The only reason why i can think of why you wouldn't have one on the front would be that the car was manufactured in a country that dosen't have these rules in place.I know my new car didn't even have a place for you to put a plate on the front(no brackets or screw holes).Turns out the car was manufactured in canada.

Answer 6

Please do that in my old police dept area, they would have wrote that ticket and a dozen more if they could.

First yes police officers carry proof of insurance in thier cars normally, all of our cars had them.

And honestly I really doubt this happened, since the time you start arguing with any officer, he will always write the ticket, and two or three if possible.

Answer 7

I LOVE the Cuff em.. that is great.. to bad you guys cant have a sticker of some sort located on the place were you have them stand next to the squad care them for a fast search. That reads.. We know, We know... your Innocent right that's why you are standing here reading this sticker and getting searched and cuffed. I know it is so corny.. But why not give them something to read. I like alot of the ones listed couldn't think of anything better.

Answer 8

you must be one slick dude or this is a made up story. First of all, I highly doubt a police officer would fear a civilian he or she has pulled over, for you to start asking the officer question and him being stumped is highly unusual. The officer could have just let you rant and rave while he is writing you a ticket. With all the corruption and police brutality lately such as the ucla taser and the homeless guy being peppersprayed, and the guy who got socked about 10 times in the face, i think pissing off and questioning authority is the last thing i want to do

Answer 9

Llicense plates are supposed to be on the car front and back. Lots of reasons for this but it is so your can can be identified, coming and going.

You really can argue all you like but the law is the law.

Answer 10

This has ALWAYS been in a law in the state of Iowa so no matter what direction you are coming from a police officer can see the license plate.