Legal Question in Traffic Law in New Jersey

Random running of License Plates

Can a police officer randomly run a check on your license plate when there has been no moving violation, no overdue inspection sticker and/or the vehicle is legally parked?


Asked on 8/09/02, 1:48 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Daniel B. Kelley Kelley Law Offices, L.L.C.

Re: Random running of License Plates

Although it is quite disturbing, the answer to your question is that the police may use the MDT (Mobile Data Terminal) to run your plates without any suspicion or reason whatsoever to determine the status of the registraion/insurance/owner's driver's license. If any of those have lapsed, are suspended, etc., they may stop the car without any further suspicion/reason. The only challenge that may be valid is if you can prove that they ran your plates only because of an improper reason, i.e. - they only run tags on certain races, etc., which is VERY hard to actually prove.

I am sure of this answer with respect to cars on the road. As to parked cars, I am not certain, but believe that it is probably the same answer although that fact may change the outcome. (If the car was parked though, how did they give the driver the ticket? - by mail?)

If you are considering hiring an attorney and the Court is in Mercer or Burlington County or South of those, please give me call as I offer free consultations and would be happy to speak with you about your specific case/charges.

Daniel B. Kelley

(856)616-8080

[email protected]

www.njlawpages.com

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Answered on 8/09/02, 2:27 pm


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