State of Iowa v. Benjamin Joseph Lyon

APPEL, Justice.

In this case, we consider the validity of a conviction for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, second offense. The police officer stopped Lyon’s vehicle based upon a suspicion that Lyon was operating a vehicle without proper illumination in violation of Iowa Code section 321.388. Lyon claims the arresting officer lacked reasonable suspicion to make a traffic stop because the officer was too far from the vehicle to have more than a hunch that Lyon’s license plate was improperly illuminated and because the headlights of the officer’s vehicle interfered with his ability…