Can police officers randomly run tags on vehicles if vehicle isn't committing traffic violations?

Question

I got pulled over while doing nothing wrong because officer decided to run my tags. I didn't have insurance and that is why he pulled me over. More to the point how can he be running tags and driving at the same time? Isn't that distracting like reading a book or watching tv while driving?

Answer 1

HMMM. I wonder what happened to due process.

By running my tags without probable cause, are you not automatically assuming guilt and taking away my due process?

The excuse that if I've got nothing to hide why worry don't work.

Answer 2

Police are constantly running tags. That's what they do all the time. You didn't think they just sat around eating donuts until someone sped by at 100 mph did you. I don't know how they knew you didn't have insurance (unless that kept you from getting the thing registered), but they do it and they can. First of all, cops cannot pull you over unless you did something wrong (like speeding or having a bad registration). But it is not considered a search if they run your license plate, so they don't need something else to run your license plate. If the reg is bad, they can pull you over.

Answer 3

The reason why we can do this is because driving is a PRIVILEGE not a right... The fact that you do a test and that you have to qualify (although some people shouldn't) to become a driver and the fact that there are strict rules and regulations to that effect makes the process as a whole a privilege. When you sign your driver's license, you agree to abide the law and the regulations including the fact that we law enforcement officers can verify the state of the vehicle, driver and/or papers. In the province I work in, Quebec, you are pretty much signing a binding contract with the SAAQ (DMV in Quebec). We actually have an article in our highway safety code (art 636) that states that a peace officer may stop a vehicle to verify the driver's licence, insurance, and registration. No need for probable cause, reasonable grounds to believe, or reasons to suspect. The law is clear; it is a privilege to drive a MV and you agree to respect the laws and regulations that go with it.

Answer 4

Most police now have a device that scans tags on vehicles as they are driving, our police have this device here in San Diego, Ca. It scans the cars tags as they drive down streets and alerts the Officers to things such as expired tags, no insurance, stolen vehicles etc. So really with this device it's not reading a book since the computer is doing the work for them as they drive.

It's a good device for them to have since a lot more stolen vehicles will get returned back to their rightful owners. This device does the work a lot faster than they can and all while they are driving in their patrol cars.

Answer 5

It is legal to run tags at random. It happens all the time. I can either run them on my in car computer or if I don't feel comfortable driving and typing I can call it in on the radio and have dispatch run it.

Oh by the way, you were doing something wrong. You were driving without insurance.

Answer 6

police run tags all the time. they usually run tags on cars that are most likely the ones to be stolen such as Honda's. and cops dont have to look at a computer screen they can use the radio to run tags. and just listen to what they say about the car. and the ones that use the computer are usually good at typing with 1 hand. i know some cops that are really good at multitasking

Answer 7

The original reason license plates were issued was to "verify that the road taxes were paid and all conditions imposed for for operation of a motor car or horseless carriage on public streets and roadways have been met"

edit:

Most states have systems in place which require insurance companies to notify the state when insurance is no longer being carried, and the registration is suspended until proof of insurance is provided. (If you switch companies, the new one notifies the state so you are not suspended.)

Answer 8

Here in Cincinnati, and in some other cities, cop cars have a separate camera system that runs virtually every plate the cop car passes, and plates on cars that pass the cop car when it's parked.
A hit on a plate is heralded by a tone from the car computer, so as not to startle the delicate officer[s] in the car.
The Losers' Motto: "I barely did anything wrong!"

Answer 9

i'm no longer able to think of of a single condition while a civilian ought to wisely factor out that an officer had dedicated a site visitors violation... I propose, except the civilian replaced into sitting in the vehicle with the officer, like on a "journey-alongside" sort of a deal (our city does this application that trains electorate to sort of "patrol" their community). otherwise, it relatively is all hypothesis and opinion... Likewise, i've got not prevalent of a civilian who reported as the police to "confess" to site visitors violations and then to invite for honestly-earned tickets.

Answer 10

It's not unreasonable search and seizure. You're operating on public streets, and you are *required* to display your car's plates in order to do that.

It doesn't take any more attention for him to talk into a microphone while driving than it takes for every other driver to listen to the Beach Boys, and thump out the rhythm to the music on the steering wheel.

And yeah, not having insurance is a problem. A big one. Wassamatter, ain't you been paying attention to the SafeAuto ads on the television?

Answer 11

Yes -- the plates are held out the public so there is no expectation of privacy -- and yes, it may be distracting, depending on whether he is using an in-car computer alone, or with a partner, or calling it in -- but police are allowed to drive with distractions that are illegal for everyone else.