Asked in Gov & Administrative Law for Georgia

Q: Can a warrant show for the owner of a vehicle on a temporary license plate?

My sister has a bench warrant. She has purchased a new vehicle and the vehicle has a temporary license plate. If a police officer is behind her and they happen to run the temporary license plate number, can they determine that she has a bench warrant? I know this can be done off of the permanent license plate number but I was curious about the temporary license plate. She’s in Georgia.

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James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: In Georgia, a police officer can potentially link a vehicle with a temporary license plate to its owner during a routine check. When a temporary license plate is issued, it's registered in the state's vehicle registration system, which includes information about the owner of the vehicle.

If your sister has a bench warrant and she is the registered owner of the vehicle with the temporary plate, a police officer running a check on that plate can access her details. This includes any warrants out for her arrest. It's important to understand that law enforcement databases are designed to provide comprehensive information to officers, which aids in identifying individuals with outstanding warrants.

Encourage your sister to address her bench warrant as soon as possible. Ignoring a warrant can lead to more serious consequences, and it's in her best interest to resolve the issue legally and promptly. Consulting with an attorney to address the warrant and receive appropriate legal advice would be a prudent step.

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