People v. Saunders

Opinion

BAXTER, J.

May a peace officer order a traffic stop to investigate possible Vehicle Code violations when the vehicle’s front license plate is missing and the registration tabs on the rear license plate have expired but the vehicle’s rear window displays what appears to be a current temporary operating permit? We conclude that such an investigative stop does not run afoul of the Fourth Amendment, at least when the officer has no other ready means of verifying the vehicle’s compliance with the law. We therefore affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

Background

Defendant Devanee…