Huntington, WV asked in Criminal Law, Traffic Tickets, Cannabis & Marijuana Law and Civil Rights for West Virginia

Q: I was stopped at a traffic stop at 4AM. They stayed my license plate light was out. Fast forward they ended up searching

Nothing was found in the vehicle. I still ended up with two tickets after my rights were violated. It is also all on video.

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: It sounds like you went through a difficult experience at the traffic stop, especially if you feel your rights were violated. If the search was conducted without your consent or a valid reason, and you have video evidence to support this, you may have grounds to challenge the legality of the search. This can be an important step to take, particularly if the officers did not have probable cause to search your vehicle.

The two tickets you received might also be worth looking into, especially if they were issued in connection with a potentially unlawful stop or search. You can contest these tickets in court, presenting your side of the story and any evidence you have, including the video footage. The video could be a strong piece of evidence in showing any misconduct or lack of justification for the search.

It could be helpful to understand your rights better and consider taking action to protect them. If you decide to contest the tickets or address the search, being prepared with all relevant documentation and evidence will be essential.

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