Q: I was cited a seatbelt ticket and only a seatbelt ticket. Was the officer in the right or wrong?
The officer had no other reason for the stop and no other citation was received is a seatbelt violation considered probable cause for a traffic stop?
A:
Reasonable suspension & plain view - If the officer saw that you were not wearing a seat belt, then, yes, they can conduct a traffic stop and cite you for the infraction for not wearing a seat belt.
Sometimes people say that there is no possible way the officer saw that I was not wearing a seat belt because he was behind me, never to the side, etc. However, it is possible that the officer observed a more serious infraction to justify the stop but then decided to only cite for a lesser charge.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.