Q: When does a registration sticker become expired and how can I keep from being searched and detained during traffic stops
Twice I have been pulled over for "traffic violations" car searched, me and my husband searched and detained without any reason. 1et time was brake light was out but I asked to see the light and the officer danced around the question I went to jail and car was towed so I never even found out if the brake light was out. During that stop a male police officer pats me down and my husband and searches the car. 2nd time the cop flipped around on us because my "registration was expired" the tag was dated 12/23 and this happened 12/24/23. I thought a tag wasn't officially expired until the end of the month. I don't see how traffic violations are allowing officers to handcuff my husband and pay us down. I need a lawyer asap
A:
A registration expires on the last day of the month and year indicated on the sticker assuming it is a valid registration for that particular vehicle.
Without either probable cause or consent, a police officer cannot search your vehicle. During a traffic stop, a police officer can only perform a pat down search of an individual if the officer reasonably suspects that the individual is armed or dangerous. Otherwise, any evidence obtained from the individual is not admissible in any subsequent proceeding.
For traffic tickets such as these, contact a local attorney in the jurisdiction (city, town, county) that specifically handles traffic ticket cases. Those attorneys specialize in that type of practice and can do a better job at a lower cost than hiring an attorney that practices in other areas of law or in other parts of the state.
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