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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    Default Reasonable Suspicion

    My question involves police conduct in the State of: Washington, City of Kent.

    I was pulled over by a police officer, I was stopped at a light and saw the police vehicle approaching at least a 1/4 mile in my rear view mirror.
    I would like to make this clear I was not pulled over any sort of traffic violation.

    The officer said he stopped me because the owner of the vehicle has a history of suspended license.

    I'm really confused as to the situation as this is the first time I've been pulled over for what I assume is "reasonable suspicion". I was not issued a ticket he said I would recieve a notice in the mail.

    Does reasonable suspicion apply in this case?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
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    3,835

    Default Re: Reasonable Suspicion

    Quote Quoting DredScott
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    I'm really confused as to the situation as this is the first time I've been pulled over for what I assume is "reasonable suspicion". I was not issued a ticket he said I would recieve a notice in the mail.

    Does reasonable suspicion apply in this case?


    Most probably yes, it does apply.

    In other words, you are the driver, the friend is the alleged unlicensed driver, and the officer knows him by face, he sees it is NOT him, but you, and pulls you over, then it is probably an unreasonable seizure?

    However, no license means no insurance, most probably.

    "Notice" in the mail for what??

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    Default Re: Reasonable Suspicion

    Quote Quoting BOR
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    Most probably yes, it does apply.

    In other words, you are the driver, the friend is the alleged unlicensed driver, and the officer knows him by face, he sees it is NOT him, but you, and pulls you over, then it is probably an unreasonable seizure?

    However, no license means no insurance, most probably.

    "Notice" in the mail for what??
    I just moved back to the City of Kent, let's put it this way. I the last time I was stopped in the City of Kent was 8 years ago while passing through.
    I've never been pulled over in said vehicle which I do own, in the City of Kent.
    The only way the officer would have had suspicion is he ran the plate numbers on my car. I wasn't aware that officers could gather history of the vehicle owner through license plate numbers, if that is how he made the decision to initiate a stop.

    He wasn't specific as to the infraction, after telling me I'll get a court date in the mail he said "get your license taken care of and insurance before you go to court".

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
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    28,906

    Default Re: Reasonable Suspicion

    Quote Quoting DredScott
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    I wasn't aware that officers could gather history of the vehicle owner through license plate numbers, if that is how he made the decision to initiate a stop.
    Well, now you are. Running your plates isn't a search, and doesn't require any greater justification than that the officer felt like running your plates.
    Quote Quoting DredScott
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    He wasn't specific as to the infraction, after telling me I'll get a court date in the mail he said "get your license taken care of and insurance before you go to court".
    Your statement suggests that you did not have a valid license and that your vehicle was not insured.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    3,835

    Default Re: Reasonable Suspicion

    Quote Quoting DredScott
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    The only way the officer would have had suspicion is he ran the plate numbers on my car. I wasn't aware that officers could gather history of the vehicle owner through license plate numbers, if that is how he made the decision to initiate a stop.
    Scroll down the the TEXT of this opinion. WA is in the 9th circuit. As of the date of entry it was then federally constitutional to run a LP in the 9th even without suspicion, as it is NOT a search.

    I am not aware of any state constitution that forbids it, as this is a very valuable police tool.


    http://vlex.com/vid/28992155

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