People v. Altieri

Frederic ¡S. Berman, J.

The court is presented with a novel question regarding the correct procedures to be followed by the police where they have, at most, only a mere suspicion to believe that an automobile VIN (vehicle identification number) plate was altered. A research of the appropriate legal authorities reveals this to be a case of first impression in this jurisdiction.

The facts adduced at a motion to suppress hearing are as follows:

On February 7, 1974, at about .6:20 p.m., the defendant was parking his car in front of his residence in Brooklyn. At that time, the defendant was…