[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/lehigh-valley-drivers-make-sure-your-license-plate-isnt-covered\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/lehigh-valley-drivers-make-sure-your-license-plate-isnt-covered\/","headline":"Lehigh Valley Drivers \u2013 Make Sure Your License Plate Isn\u2019t Covered","name":"Lehigh Valley Drivers \u2013 Make Sure Your License Plate Isn\u2019t Covered","description":"The Pennsylvania Superior Court recently addressed the constitutionality of a traffic stop premised on an obscured license […]","datePublished":"2022-08-31","dateModified":"2023-03-02","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/author\/smoyer\/#Person","name":"Sara Moyer","url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/author\/smoyer\/","identifier":63,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Sara-Moyer_Square_600x600-150x150.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Sara-Moyer_Square_600x600-150x150.jpg","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Gross McGinley, LLP","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/logopng-00436945-e1531508982151.png","url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/logopng-00436945-e1531508982151.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pa-plate-e1677789778876.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pa-plate-e1677789778876.jpg","height":540,"width":540},"url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/lehigh-valley-drivers-make-sure-your-license-plate-isnt-covered\/","about":["Blog"],"wordCount":498,"keywords":["Criminal Law","License Plate Laws","Traffic Citations"],"articleBody":"The Pennsylvania Superior Court recently addressed the constitutionality of a traffic stop premised on an obscured license plate.\u00a0 In Commonwealth v. Ruffin, a police officer initiated a traffic stop, citing Section 1332(b) of the Vehicle Code, which makes it unlawful to display a registration plate that is \u201cobscured in any manner.\u201d\u00a0 75 Pa.C.S.A. \u00a7 1332(b)(3).\u00a0 Following a search of the vehicle, the officer found a loaded gun and ammunition in the passenger\u2019s pocket; the passenger did not have a valid permit to carry the gun.\u00a0 The passenger was charged with various firearms-related offenses.Defendant moved to suppress all evidence, on the basis that the initial vehicle stop violated his rights under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Sections 8 and 9 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.\u00a0 More specifically, the defendant argued that the officer could read the numbers on his registration plate and identify the issuing state, as such there was no basis for the vehicle stop.\u00a0 At the suppression hearing, the officer testified that the frame around the vehicle\u2019s registration plate did NOT obstruct his ability to read any of the numbers but that it did obstruct the website listed on the bottom of the plate (i.e. the state tourism website).\u00a0 The trial court granted suppression, finding there was no reasonable suspicion or probable cause to support the initial vehicle stop.\u00a0 The Commonwealth appealed.In a decision that has broad implications across the state, the Superior reversed the trial court\u2019s suppression order, finding that the phrase \u201cobscured in any manner\u201d encompasses the entirety of the plate, rather than the issuing authority and vehicle-specific information.Under this ruling, law enforcement officers are empowered to stop any vehicle with even a minor license plate obstruction.\u00a0 Moreover, if a law enforcement officer suspects the driver of another crime, for example, a DUI, a minor license plate obstruction provides the necessary pretext for a stop where there might not otherwise be a basis.How to avoid getting pulled over for a license plate obstruction:Look at your license plate!\u00a0 Decorative plate holders and even dealer-issued plate holders can partially obscure your license plate, such that they provide justification for a vehicle stop.\u00a0 Make sure your license plate is free of dirt or other debris.\u00a0 Remove screening devices from your plate that obstruct automated plate readers.As this recent case demonstrates, a vehicle stop can lead to other more serious charges.\u00a0 Often DUI and minor controlled substance offenses start with a mere traffic violation.\u00a0 Don\u2019t put yourself at risk for a vehicle stop\u2014double check your license plate!If you are facing charges stemming from a traffic stop, call Gross McGinley\u2019s experienced criminal defense legal team. We know that everyone makes mistakes and sometimes, our clients find themselves facing a situation that requires legal help.Attorney Sara A. Moyer is a member of the Gross McGinley Criminal Defense team with years or knowledge and experience in successfully defending the rights of her clients."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Resources","item":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Lehigh Valley Drivers \u2013 Make Sure Your License Plate Isn\u2019t Covered","item":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/lehigh-valley-drivers-make-sure-your-license-plate-isnt-covered\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]