U.S. top court backs police in car brake-light confusion case

[Tom Joad]

A horrible decision IMO.

Sotomayor is the only one who got it right.

This was a clear cut case of illegal search and seizure.


http://news.yahoo.com/u-top-court-ba...153707497.html

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled that a police officer in North Carolina lawfully stopped a car with a faulty brake light - and then found a stash of cocaine in the vehicle - even though driving with one working light is not illegal in the state.

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[Rajoo]

End justifies the means?

"The court concluded in the North Carolina case that "reasonable mistakes of law" like those made by the officer in question do not make a search invalid."

Wonder what make and vintage of the he car was to initiate a stop.

[Zeke]

1. Mistakes happen.
2. DON'T consent to the search.

Also, as if I even have to say this...

3. Don't possess illegal drugs.

Problem solved.

[Tom Joad]

Originally Posted by BeamOn

End justifies the means?

"The court concluded in the North Carolina case that "reasonable mistakes of law" like those made by the officer in question do not make a search invalid."

Wonder what make and vintage of the he car was to initiate a stop.

"reasonable mistakes of law"

Whatever happened to "ignorance of the law is no excuse".

I guess that just applies to us ordinary citizens.

Cops are exempted.

[Rajoo]

As Zeke would say, "Good Stop".

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by BeamOn

As Zeke would say, "Good Stop".

Tough call. That having a light out is allowed in the state as an anachronism dating to tractors and combines -- I'm sure -- does not allow the operation of vehicles deemed potentially unsafe by traffic safety.

Sum? There are all sorts of manners in which to justify this, or any, stop.

The key here is driver consent to search. They were asked, consented and there was nose candy.

Moral? Don't give consent.

Now, the driver may have been hopped up and observation may have lead to a search anyway but we'll never know.

Good result.

[Rajoo]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Now, the driver may have been hopped up and observation may have lead to a search anyway but we'll never know.

Good result.

You said it. So the term Law Enforcement is an oxymoron then if it's OK to be ignorant of the law you enforce. This is where teenagers say "whatever" and walk away shaking their head.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by BeamOn

You said it. So the term Law Enforcement is an oxymoron then if it's OK to be ignorant of the law you enforce. This is where teenagers say "whatever" and walk away shaking their head.

We'll never know because the operator gave consent.

That's on their ignorance...