The problem I have with front plate laws, is the "excuse" from the cops that it helps catch someone in a hit and run accident. Often if you rear end someone and run, sometimes the front bumper of the run car with plate is left behind. Yet, I personally know of two people who have been in these types of accidents and the cops did nothing to go after the run vehicle. In my immediate family I've got almost a dozen state and federal cops, I've posed that situation to all of the local cops, and to the person, they state that unless injuries are involved, the run vehicle is not a priority and they will be dealt with when time permits. Based on that example, the "excuse" doesn't hold water.

Even worse is here in Colorado, specifically in Denver, they state that "you must have a front plate attached to the front of the vehicle, even if it did not come with a practical place to attach it." As far as they are concerned, if you buy a $1 million dollar Veyron, you must drill 4 holes in the hood and attach the plate.

 

1) Cops do not set or adjust state law, the officials that you have voted for do

2) I have run 20 hit and runs this year, only in 1 instance did their front tag come off at the crime scene, so who is using this as an excuse? I'm sure I provided this as an example in a previous thread as 1 reason why this law exists but I VERY much doubt that I stated it was the sole reason of this law. This law exists for other drivers and witnesses of a crime involving the vehicle so that they can more readily identify the suspect vehicle.

3) Just because you have a nice car does not mean you are above the law. If you have a Veyron I am sure they will not mind paying the $40 dollar no front tag ticket if they truly don't want a front tag.

 

they are almost standard issue on all cruisers here in Upstate NY. Dad is a Chief in a local municipality and the state just handed out stacks of $$$$ to quip most patrol vehicles in service .....

 

thanks again notahondaowner. i appreciate the time you put into this thread!

 

Justin

Sounds like New York is a lot better off with funding then maryland. We have 1 van equipped with them at the moment, as do most of MD departments in my area. I would love to have one in my cruiser.

Cbock

Don't mention it, this thread provides me with a nice way to pass time and as I said in my very first post it also might save yourself or an officer some aggravation in the future.

 

If you are a police officer and are sent to a home to issue a complaint of some sort how far are you allowed to go before its considered trespassing and is deemed unlawful? You knock, hear nothing, 1 of 4 cars is in the driveway in what you know is a 3 person household. Are you allowed to walk around the home? Walk up onto a deck, a raised enclosed and taxable part of your house, over 100 feet around the perimeter of the home? Enter the home?

I am in a situation where i believe the police had a false pretext to come to my house then on two seperate occasions trespassed leading to my fathers and my arrest. My main concern is regarding suppression of evidence based upon the actions of several officers.

 

There are so many details missing from this that it makes it difficult to properly respond.

Who called in a complaint? What was the complaint regarding? What were you doing when you were arrested? What were you charged with? Many many more details; I suggest you dont share these on the internet either. I will address your question below.



I will provide a general response as best I can. Police officers responding to a complaint may enter onto the premises of a home, this includes front yard side yard backyard open garages decks etc. How far we can go in entering the home depends on many things, was the complainant anonymous, what is the nature of the complaint, are there signs of foul play, do we need to engage as a community caretaker and force entry into the home (sounds of a struggle, cries for help, are there signs that someone inside has passed away such as car in the driveway and mail piling up, crimes occuring within plain sight, etc).


Your lawyer will be able to provide you with the best information regarding your specific incident.

 

Hi "NotAHondaOwner"... This is my first post for this topic and I had a question. I live in MD as well, work in Rockville, live in Laurel. Yesterday I was pulled over by a Rockville City Police Officer. I was coming downhill and he was going uphill on the opposite side of the street in the opposite direction. I was going about 39-40mph in a 35mph zone at the same rate as traffic. I don't have a front plate license holder on my car (didn't come with it and the stealership nearby doesn't have them so I need to order again) and the front tag is in the front window (pass. side). I don't have tinted windows or chrome wheels or anything to stand out. The officer made an unnecessary u-turn just to follow me and pull me over. I knew it wasn't for speed so I politely asked why he pulled me over. He said he didn't get a chance to laser me (impossible from his position in that situation) but that i was going fast enough for him to notice me. I wasn't and I think he was just checking me out because I'm a young guy with braids in an A8. My question is, in MD, can you be ticketed for not having your front license plate on your front bumper if it doesn't come with the car? He said that the link to the MVA was down so I don't know if he just didn't feel like radioing in to check the validity of my license and registration or if it was intentional. Nonetheless, I got off without a ticket and I continued not to speed that day so I have no complaints because I respect what you guys do. It's just a semi-educated question. I have been riding around with just a front tag for atleast the past 2 weeks without any problems from any other officers, so I wanted to know if the officer has a valid point, or if it's true that officers are supposed to let the driver off the hook for cases of an unmounted front tag being placed in the front window, if the car doesn't allow the placement of a tag. Thanks.

-Jason
-CrazyEights

 

In Maryland the front tag is to be placed in the center of the front and rear bumpers in a clear and visible position. This law covers front and rear tag placement to include any plastic tag covers which are illegal in this state whether they are clear or tinted. People use the dealership sold as is excuse all the time, the comeback is , in this and all states driving is a priviledge and it falls upon the driver to familiarize his or herself with local laws. If the dealership can not put the tag on the vehicle properly you tell them to call you for pick up when the vehicle is in compliance with state law. Not having a front tag is a justifiable stop and a stop I have used many times that has led to some good arrests. He could have given you a 60 dollar ticket so it sounds like he spared you. I worked yesterday as well and I can tell you for a fact that MILES, Maryland Inter-Agency Law Enforcement System, was down so officers were unable to check registration and license information. Whether or not he targeted you for the sole reason of the front tag, only the officer who stopped you knows that.

 

thanks. sounds like a good response. yeah, overall i had no complaints about the situation because i came out of it without a ticket. thanks for taking the time to respond and get back to me. i appreciate it. have a good one.