Steve Lehto: Michigan Supreme Court Tosses "Ignorant Cop" Defense ( speeding related )

mat200

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Found this interesting to watch:

The Michigan Supreme Court says that a police officer cannot benefit from his own ignorance to the detriment of a defendant.

Supreme Court Tosses "Ignorant Cop" Defense - Ep. 7.214
 

saltwater

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Do you US drivers require a driving licence to drive on public roads? What happens if you drive a motor car on public roads without a driving licence? How is that enforced?
 

mat200

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Do you US drivers require a driving licence to drive on public roads? What happens if you drive a motor car on public roads without a driving licence? How is that enforced?
US States have drivers license requirements... some also have additional requirements such as insurance requirements, as well as "smog" requirements,... seat beat requirements, ... laws against drunk driving.. numerous DUI check points,... various ways for States to get more funds from drivers....
 

saltwater

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Here in Australia the police can pull cars over for licence checks. The driver of a car must produce their driver licence. They must also state their name and address, if asked, which usually is the case. There are fines for providing false information or refusing to provide name and address. Get this, police also have the power to perform a random drink/drug tests. Our limit here is 0.05. If something else arises because of a simple licence check, the reason for the initial intercept is not in question.
 

th182

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Here in Australia the police can pull cars over for licence checks. The driver of a car must produce their driver licence. They must also state their name and address, if asked, which usually is the case. There are fines for providing false information or refusing to provide name and address. Get this, police also have the power to perform a random drink/drug tests. Our limit here is 0.05. If something else arises because of a simple licence check, the reason for the initial intercept is not in question.
Here in the US, specifically Minnesota, they need reasonable suspicion that the driver or occupants are involved in criminal activity to make a traffic stop. Reasonable suspicion is basically articulatable facts that would lead one to believe a crime has been or is being committed.

As for enforcement of drivers licenses. They can run the license plate and if the owner doesn't have a license, and the driver appears to be the owner, they can stop to confirm. Usually no license results in a citation and likely the vehicle being towed.


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