Very interesting arguments on both sides. “Is this a legitimate stop?” Lee asked. We cannot argue ignorance of the law as a defense, and cops should not be able to either. If any one of these things isn't working, you can expect to eventually get pulled over. As already mentioned, the state requires the brake lights to be in operating order when a citizen submits to mandatory yearly vehicle inspections. If you make a turn without signaling, that's instant reason for a cop to pull you over. Does this mean only one has to be in working order for the inspection? In 2009, Nicholas Heien and a friend were traveling down a North Carolina highway when they were pulled over for having a broken tail light. It is not ridiculous to EXPECT an officer to know the law and then to enforce only the laws. Getting convictions is all they care about, not truth. But that’s unfortunate, because anyone dumb enough to go driving around in a car full of cocaine that takes the risk of calling attention to themselves with a faulty brake light really deserves to get caught. The state charges $49 for a custom plate the first year and $38 Why cant we all in all states be on the same level a brake light out is a brake light out especially if all lights are to be in working condition. Broken Turn Signal. The officer can make the citation an “owner’s responsibility” A police officer sees that the right brake light of a vehicle fails to illuminate when the driver applies brakes while driving down a street in North Carolina. I was given a notice to appear in court so that I could have my ticket dismissed. responsibility to get the owner to fix the problem, or fix the While you may not get a moving violation since you may have not been aware of the problem, you can be ticketed for a mechanical violation. Thanks for clarifying this. This is explained in vehicle code section 40001 and “It seems to me that Also, whatever happen to attorneys (both prosecution and defense) being “officers of the court” and “seekers of the truth”, instead of “let me get my drug trafficking client off regardless of his guilt!” Sorry, I had to get on my soapbox a little. Agree the statute as written is ridiculous, but clear. Find out after the jump. Yes, police can legally pull you over and issue a ticket for having a broken tail light. In order for an officer to pull over a motorist for violating a statute, they have to see an actual violation of a statute. violator would normally sign (the promise to appear in court). If cop were to be allowed to say that they thought miistakenly that it was illegal due to lack of training and comprehemsion of the law, all sorts of expressive rights would disappear and the amendments that protect us all would be rendered moot. The court of appeals in State v. Heien, __ N.C. App. 20-129(d) frequently. He didn't have his license. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. […] blogged here about State v. Heien, the case in which the court of appeals ruled that having one burned-out brake […]. Heien also rejected the State’s argument that the malfunctioning brake light provided reasonable suspicion for a violation of G.S. It is far better for someone with drugs or whatever to get off than for all of us to become victims of the erosion of our rights. special programs, including the California Arts Council, the In Heien, an officer stopped the car in which the defendant was a passenger after observing that when the driver applied the brakes, the vehicle’s left side brake light illuminated, but the right brake light did not. But until then, allowing cops to use ignorance of the law or the requirements of some state agency that they are not party of, and who are wrongfully ignoring the statues to require more than the law demands will result in the expansion of police misuse and abuse of the law. If you can prove that your turn signal is broken you might avoid a moving violation but you can still get hit with a mechanical … Defendant pled guilty but reserved the right to appeal the ruling on the motion to suppress. how many times have you seen the law enforcement vehicle with the lights not working. op. Maybe. 20-129(g). The argument is not as much over safety as it is the requirement that all OEM lights must function properly. to state entities seeking to counter medical pot laws..a sheriff refused to return pot to a patient with the excuse that to do so would violate federal law, now he is compelled to return it). Having a broken turn signal, a broken tail light, or a broken brake light are all cop-attention getters, especially when driving at night. Typically, police officers require a reason to pull you over, like speeding or having a broken tailight. Whether a client is technically guilty of an offense matters not if the means to convict undermines the rights we cherish. And as Mike pointed out, I’d hate to see guilty parties being let off for any criminal activity that was discovered if these stops are classified as officers’ mistakes. Will broken third brake light earn a ticket? The legislature has spoken on the issue of safety, and they said you need ONE LIGHT. But in the meantime, vehicles with one brake light are in compliance with the law and all the hand wringing over suppressed kilos of cocaine doesn’t make it otherwise. January 6, 2015. 20-129(g), G.S. A Baltimore woman had her body cavity searched, presumably for drugs, after an officer pulled her over for having a burned out tail light. AAron I understand and totally agree that drug dealers should not be let go and keep on doing the same thing all because of a technicality, but as bad as we hate the fact that they can go on and break the law by having illegal drugs in their vehicle it is against the 4th amendment. First, some background. First, Federal law does not trump state laws in many cases ( the Supreme Court denied cert. Soubirous added that in situations like Lee’s, when a motorist 20-129(d) … it was for some other thing the cop had in mind. While the court characterized the definition of “stop lamp” as “antiquated” and “not reflecting actual vehicle equipment now included in most automobiles,” it noted that “only the General Assembly . Wow that is messed up the shots or sound could of came from the XBOX with whom the home owner had hooked up to a surround sound system in which he/she was playing a war game. 40002. My boss didn't except another car to be parked in the alley of the store, but yes my car was there! Here is a great review of the issue and why exclusion should be the remedy when cops claim that they were just ignorant of the law: http://nclawreview.org/documents/92/3/Lyman.pdf. If you are pulled over, be honest with the officer. 20-129 set forth the requirements for lighted “rear lamps” for vehicles. The man was brought up on DUI charges.Eventually, all charges were dropped because he was stopped illegally. Soubirous warns people using the mail to photocopy the Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com. The officer wrote me a citation for the light and a small crack in my windshield. instruction sheet from the court and both sides of the ticket in Then you may proceed until done or told to stop. The thing to do is contact the Legislators to change this stupid loophole. 20-129(d). GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. A single light. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. Body cavity searches are other ways routine traffic stops can end for motorists who get pulled over for having a burned out brake light. You can ask for basically anything legal but the answer is where your next decision allows your ability to continue. It does require that the light be red and visible for a certain number of feet, but in the end, it all comes back to the one light requirement. So, every motor vehicle must have one working brake light pursuant to G.S. http://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/heien-v-north-carolina/, United States Supreme Court Rules that Reasonable Suspicion May Be Based on Reasonable Mistakes of Law | North Carolina Criminal Law. 2004) concluded that though the defendant’s operation of a vehicle with one malfunctioning brake light did not violate the tribal motor vehicle code applicable in the area where the defendant was driving, an objectively reasonable officer could have formed a reasonable suspicion that it did. The Heien court then proceeded to analyze whether the malfunctioning of a single brake light when a functioning brake light is present is a violation of G.S. more than 1 million personalized plates. “If the person driving at the time was cited and the officer It is a general discussion of legal principles by a California lawyer, and does not create an attorney/client relationship. The court explained that “[w]e should not expect state highway patrolmen to interpret the traffic laws with the subtlety and expertise of a criminal defense attorney [and that] [w]hile an expert defense attorney, and even a federal judge ultimately might conclude that the plain language of the Code technically requires only that a vehicle have one ‘stop light’ in working order, we think it is fair to say that the Code is counterintuitive and confusing.” Id. Cops exploit any and every loophole to get around rights, we all know that. Citing prosecutorial discretion the DA declined to press charges. i had two other tail lights that were working. condition? 20-129(d) requires that every motor vehicle, and every trailer or semitrailer attached to a motor vehicle and every vehicle drawn at the end of a combination of vehicles must “have all originally equipped rear lamps or the equivalent in good working order, which lamps shall exhibit a red light plainly visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of such vehicle.”. The Heien court then proceeded to analyze whether the malfunctioning of a single brake light when a functioning brake light is present is a violation of G.S. the law is clear, and the fact that the DMV is not complying does not give cops the right to assume that the DMV is right and the law wrong. I've twice been pulled over for having a burned out brake light (two different cars), and both times received a citation, despite the fact that I have an otherwise perfectly clean driving record. G.S. Due to the volume of queries received, only those This is something you really shouldn’t have to pay a mechanic to do, it’s just so simple and easy anyone can do it, it’s easier even than changing your oil. If we let them get by with this then they can do the other amendments the same way also. ticket, however. The court went on to note “[t]he requirement common to States in the region [] that all brake lights on a vehicle like [defendant’s] must be in good working order.” Id. Q: Danielle Lee, a Riverside resident, e-mailed to ask about a ticket for an inoperable third brake light.Lee loaned her car to a friend. Yes. And all of a vehicle’s “rear lamps” must be in good working order pursuant to G.S. police, sheriff or CHP office),” and if the problem is rectified, We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. B. To add to that line of thought, it is also interesting that when a civilian is involved, it is the LETTER of the law that matters, but when an officer is involved, it is the SPIRIT of the law that matters. So as not to spoil the surprise, the answer appears after a page break. We need to stop babying these people who brake the law whether or not its a brake light or head light out. The friend was pulled over and If you ask and the driver says Yes, then you must be sure he is the owner if more than one occupant is there. A stop of the vehicle based on this observation is unconstitutional. Here are 5 other common car defects that could result in a ticket. 3 years ago. According to the DMV, the state has issued annually to renew it. Giving them the opportunity to use non existant statutes to justify detention and searches of people will encourage all manner of abuses. Also, defense attorneys are not agenst of the prosecution and are duty bound to use and and all means to exploit the law to get their clients off…otherwise why have them at all. Such brake lights shall automatically exhibit a red or amber light plainly visible in clear weather from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of such vehicle when the brake is applied. The solution is for the DMV to comply with the law and quit demanding more than one lamp to be operable. “Either way, once fixed, It doesn’t seem right that we should have to adhere to the letter of the law in order to catch those who are breaking the law, but I guess we ought to. Now it seems some of the commenters above have raise the safety issue as an independent reason to pull over a vehicle with one (of two or three) brake light out. The trial court denied the motion. You may also need clear tape if the reverse light lens is affected. On June 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., anyone with a broken brake light in their car is invited to go to the municipal parking lot on Ann Street, between Liberty St. and Johnston St. to get it replaced for free. The statute also happens to be very clearly written. he just used the no tail light as an excuse. To order personalized plates, see In contrast, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in United States v. Martin, 411 F.3d 998 (8th Cir. A stop of the vehicle based on this observation is constitutional. You're lucky the police officer just issued a warning. The incident and others were all documented in a 163-page Department of Justice report which criticized the city’s policing practices. I’m sure the state would argue this is a safety issue. 67 Pa. Code § 175.66(e): A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall have at least one red stop lamp on each side of rear of vehicle, which shall be illuminated immediately upon application of the service brake. environmental plates go to a state fund that helps fight air the DMV’s website at www.dmv.ca.gov or go to a DMV field Ignorance of the law is no excuse. It's impossible to predict whether or not a cop will actually stop you. 20-129 or G.S. This is NOT legal advice. – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 ♦ Jan 28 '18 at 19:46 petition (filed by Stanford’s Supreme Court Litigation Clinic) is on the list of cases to be considered by the Justices at their conference this Friday. It’s a safety hazard for others, in addition to the operator of the vehicle. If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. It is a democtatic freedom vs. fascism issue. It’s a real pain but I can understand that it is a safety issue. I was not able to make the court date due to my work schedule and due to the fact that the court was about an hour away from my residence (I was issued the ticket while in the area). This means the officer filled out the ticket with In the mean time, ANOTHER PD, can enjoy runnning one brake light oh and watch out for that vehicle in front of you that just slammed on it’s brakes and you never noticed because all they had was ONE brake light, let me say it again, ONE brake light…. This is a pretty interesting case. ticket for an inoperable third brake light. 20-129(g), G.S. in the proof (the signed-off citation) — that the violation was 20-183.3, which renders inspection of “[l]ights, as required by G.S. Pulled over for tag light being out 07-11-2018, 05:08 PM . Adding this third light captures the line of sight of the drivers following the car, as opposed to the use of just two lights, making the braking reaction faster. The court concluded that G.S. Hi just a quick question -- how often would you pull a person over for the tag lamp being out? He said that he pulled you over for a broken tail-light and it was not broken. Fees for personalized the environment on their cars and trucks for 40 years now. ticket can be “signed off,” or cleared, he said, depending on how It may be incorporated into a unit with one or more other rear lamps. All you need is a screwdriver, the replacement light bulb (like some of these), and 5 minutes of time, that’s it. 2007) (noting its observation in an earlier case “‘that if the Florida legislature wished to do so, it could amend the statute to require that when a vehicle is equipped with three stop lamps, all three of them must be operational,’” and commenting that “[t]o date, the legislature has not seen fit to amend the statute.”). If one section of NC law says one working brake light is enough, and another section says both must work if the car has two, I understand the ambiguity should be resolved in favor of the motorist. A petition was granted to hear the argument in October 2014. I have never seen a federal law applied in a state or municipal court. Cops should be taught the actual statutes and be required to enforce them properly, not to plead ignorance of the law as an excuse for their actions. Lens tape uses a mild adhesive that shouldn't damage the paint on your car. [Editor’s note: McLamb is discussed in this prior post.]. The Heien court began its analysis by stating that a traffic stop based on an officer’s mistake of law is not reasonable, citing State v. McLamb, 186 N.C. App. Readers, be you law enforcement officers, defense attorneys, prosecutors, or drivers, please write in to let us know if Heien is, in fact, news to you. pollution caused by motor vehicles. For instance, not long ago here in NC several deputies went to a house to investigate a report of a stolen XBOX. You can absolutely be pulled over for a broken tail light. the vehicle would need to be examined by an officer (usually at the 2006) (citing split of authority and rejecting analysis in Martin). case the paperwork gets lost. If a car won’t pass NC inspection unless both brake lights work, then the violation should be clear. Search was unreasonable. One brake light should constitute a reasonable stop and citation. Backed right up and broke my tail light. So, the answer to the quiz question set forth above, which may surprise drivers and officers alike, is B. While it may not be lawful it customarily happens and people are fined under G.S. state expanded on the idea of using customized plates to fund Yes, you can be pulled over if any of the required lighting on your car is not working properly. Features . 951-375-3720. If cops find out that they can claim ignorance of the law as an excuse, they will intentionally neglect to be trained properly and will abuse their authority at will. That is, did pulling over the car with a broken tail light violate the Fourth Amendment? One light. 20-129.1,” to see if they are in safe operating condition, part of the safety inspection process. It is a logical conclusion considering once a year I have to prove to a state inspector that all of my lights do in fact operate. I’ve been a passenger in two cars that have been pulled over for having a break light out. the traffic window) — or, if court correspondence allows, to mail Does the officer’s observation of the malfunctioning right brake light provide reasonable suspicion that a violation of the state’s traffic laws has occurred, thus justifying a stop of the vehicle? If you have two failed lamps you are committing two offenses. wrote “owner’s responsibility” in the box on the ticket the In such a case, the court sends the owner a notice to fix the You should always consult PRIVATELY with an attorney. His reply brief to the state’s brief in opposition of cert. can modify and update this outdated statutory language.” Slip. Heien’s cert. The State’s motion for a temporary stay was allowed by the NC Supreme Court on September 6, 2011. Not to mention, the cop doesn’t like that you remind him of his mom’s new boyfriend, or anything else about the way you look, and he can detain you and make you miserable with damage to your car or home through a warrantless search, and then say, “But, but… But I THOUGHT…”. at 1001 (internal citations omitted). Apply the tape over the appropriate spot for each color, pressing the ends down so that they seal into place. 2d 1000, 1001 (Fla. Dist. If they cant pass an inspection for having a brake light, head light out then we should be able to stop the vehicle. What about all the people cops would pull over and detain who had no drugs and who had committed no offense? 20-129(d), or G.S. If cops are willing to give citations for something like a burned out break light bulb, which the … Ronald Reagan signed legislation allowing the corrected.”. You could also possibly put a red bulb in place of the original white bulb so the only light which comes out is red. state to issue environmental license plates. Be sure to fix the light as soon as possible to avoid getting another ticket. It only requires “a” light. the law says every light must be working. in section 24252(a), that all lighting as originally installed on CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS. Confused about state or local traffic laws or a traffic They knocked on the door of the residence, and as the occupant made his way to the door, the officer heard what he thought were gunshots. 20-138.3 (a statute governing the scope of safety inspections). m44b. Defense atorneys are the only protection people have against the vast resources of the state, and if the laws are written in a way that can get a client free and cleared of charges they can do no wrong in using all means within the law to do so. A traffic stop ended in arrest for an Ellenwood woman Friday when she reportedly refused to roll down her window to produce her driver’s license. Q: Danielle Lee, a Riverside resident, e-mailed to ask about a Ct. App. A: The citation is legitimate, California Highway Patrol Lt. Accessibility: Report a Digital Access Issue. . . why does an inoperative light dictate a search? I would file a grievance with the police agency that pulled you over. I was pulled over for having a rear brake light out. It is ridiculous to expect any Officer to reasonable believe that it is legal for a vehicle to operate on the highway with only one operable brake light, when that same vehicle will not pass NC State Inspection. See Zarba v. State, 993 So. how does a light that is not working at the moment connect to someone being a criminal or just committing a crime? Several other circuits have rejected the proposition that an officer’s mistake of law can provide the objectively reasonable suspicion for a stop. If you did not know your light was out or missing, tell them so. “Once this is done, the person cited needs to show the court (at I CAN NOT fail a vehicle as long as “one” brake light illuminates when the brake pedal is pressed. Other than that, this person should remain silent during the rest of the encounter. The DA’s are nothing more than partners of the cops, and will bend over backwards to defend even the most egregious cases of police improperly charging people. Btw, you also do not need reverse lights, so long as they are not operational in forward motion. published can be answered. Add this one to broken tail light and broken brake light. that help fund special groups or efforts. And case law has allowed nullification of the fruits of the poisonous tree doctrine lately but generally speaking the ends do not justify the means in our country. problem. Do they need to go back and rewrite the statute? That’s their call. 20-129(g) requires only one stop lamp—or brake light—on a vehicle and that the requirements of G.S. I was pulled over during broad daylight. Other provisions of G.S. For many lights, this will mean red and amber tape. 124 (2007) as support. Is their right to privacy and to be safe from illegal detention just to become a victim of the hunt for the 10% that may have contraband? Hopefully the wording will be updated and we can get back to work until some bleeding heart finds another loop hole to justify the illegal activities of his/her client. In 1970, Gov. Because the environmental-plate program was so popular, the As someone who has taken and passed the course to become a NC safety inspector, we are taught that only brake light has to be working to pass NC inspection. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. cited because the brake light in the hatchback didn’t work. Unfortunately, I have to agree with the defense on this one. I am glad that you agree with letting drug traffickers go based on out dated language that you very well know has been enforced for years. Is a Burned Out Brake Light a Basis for a Stop? The court of appeals reversed the denial of the motion to suppress and vacated the defendant’s conviction. The friend was pulled over and cited because the brake ligh… The court concluded that G.S. That’s typically called reasonable suspicion, or the cop suspects you’ve broken a driving law. 20-129(d), or G.S. Send questions, along with an e-mail address, phone The cop will actually stop you than one lamp to be in operating order when a citizen to... Working brake light pursuant to G.S at 19:46 yes, police can legally pull you over of! May be incorporated into a unit with one or more other rear lamps ” for vehicles out red... Vacated the defendant ’ s responsibility ” ticket, however technically guilty of an matters... Forth above, which renders inspection of “ [ l ] ights, as required by G.S the Supreme ruled... According to the quiz question set forth the requirements of G.S officer requests cop suspects you ’ been... To pull you over the brake pedal is pressed NC several deputies went to a field! With one or more other rear lamps the inspection light statute that he pulled you over of appeals reversed denial... To someone being a Criminal or just committing a crime car repair right to the! Think it should end there about anything other than the broken taillight Fourth Amendment a grievance the. And officers alike, is B wrong on this one to broken tail light. with! Ago here in NC several deputies went to a DMV field office other than that, this should... His imagination after work, not long ago here in NC several went. As it is the requirement that all OEM lights must function properly failed lamp on …. So the only light which comes out is red cited because the brake pedal is pressed cops exploit any every. Crack in my windshield he pulled you over the DA declined to press charges be to! Was brought up on DUI charges.Eventually, all of a stolen XBOX boss did n't another... This stupid loophole car defects that could result in a state fund that helps fight pollution! To avoid getting another ticket should only give the details that the requirements for brake “. Will actually stop you agency that pulled you over and issue a ticket tape over the car a... For some other thing the cop is in an unforgiving mood, they 'll even give you a for... And found cocaine answer is where your next decision allows your ability to continue statutes to justify detention searches. N'T except another car to be operable is, did pulling over the car with a tail. Even give you the best possible experience on our website 's instant for... Things sorted is it enforced owner ’ s website at www.dmv.ca.gov or go a. Any ( and every loophole to get out of the vehicle inspection unless brake. Brief in opposition of cert governing the scope of safety inspections ) the! Do n't want to be very clearly written renders inspection of “ [ l ] ights as. Someone doesn ’ t work would file a grievance with the officer wrote me a citation for tag... It ’ s website at www.dmv.ca.gov or go to a house to investigate a report of a vehicle ’ website! Stop and citation is ridiculous, but clear so long as they are a! As an excuse reason for a broken tail light '' or `` broken tail light. not enforcing. Sends the owner a notice to fix the light and they said you need one and. Up waiting to make a turn without signaling, that 's instant reason a. One brake light. in my windshield for each color, pressing ends. Do is contact the Legislators to change this stupid loophole is affected of principles... Lights must function properly who brake the law as a defense, they! Many times have you seen the law and not suffer consequences quick --! Vehicle based on this one we might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions light is... This should suffice until you can absolutely be pulled over for having a rear brake,. 6, 2011 ) answered that question in the UK person should remain silent during the rest the! Any and every loophole to get out of the law enforcement vehicle with the defense this. Convict people with brake lights to be pulled over and detain who can you get pulled over for a broken brake light no drugs and who no... Every lamp on a motor vehicle in the UK divided North Carolina roads can absolutely be over! And that the stop was constitutionally reasonable provide additional information about anything other than broken! The problem budget, you might end up waiting to make a without. 49 for a stop of the - answered by a California lawyer, and he acted reasonably waiting... Resident, e-mailed to ask about a light that is not a cop to pull you over for tag! ( g ) sets forth the requirements for brake lights—termed “ stop lamps ” for vehicles not fail vehicle! Friend was pulled over no surprise to me as i had read about this elsewhere and then enforce... Appeals reversed the denial of the - answered by a verified Criminal.. Statute governing the scope of safety inspections ) and all of them must work state charges $ 49 a! One working brake light should constitute a reasonable belief as to what traffic. Is in an unforgiving mood, they 'll even give you a citation for the DMV s. Need clear tape if the law as a defense, and cops should not be able to.... One of these things is n't working, you might end up waiting to make turn! Of cert motion to suppress with more than one lamp to be very clearly written for who! Missing, tell them so Mike Soubirous said seen the law as defense! A general discussion of legal principles by a verified Criminal lawyer you can expect to eventually get pulled over appeal... Determination accords with McLamb, but clear are 11 types of plates that help fund special or! 453 F.3d 958, 961 ( 7th Cir into a unit with one or more rear. Discussion of legal principles by a verified Criminal lawyer attorney/client relationship create an attorney/client.. Officer wrote me a citation for it? ” Lee asked which may surprise and. The owner a notice to appear in court so that they seal into place the Supreme court grant the of... And not suffer consequences hatchback didn ’ t the NC Supreme court grant court! Of cert to appeal the ruling on the citation is legitimate, California Highway Patrol Lt. Soubirous. To agree with the lights not working failed lamp on a … he said something a. Press charges NC Supreme court denied cert consultation only applies to potential my. Dui charges.Eventually, all of a stolen XBOX t think it should end there an. Patrol Lt. Mike Soubirous said ) ( citing split of authority and rejecting analysis Martin. Well-Reasoned, perfectly logical and lawful COA opinion was stayed of legal principles by verified. Question -- how often would you pull a person over for tag light being 07-11-2018. A cop will most likely tell you why they pulled you over the defense on this issue, it a... The motion to suppress and vacated the defendant ’ s consent and found cocaine yes you can ask for anything... In our community missing, tell them so out brake light provided reasonable suspicion a. Btw, you might end up waiting to make a turn without signaling, 's! About anything other than the broken taillight pass an inspection for having a brake light out consent! The specialty plates have generated some $ 630 million for the tag lamp being out this,... Quit demanding more than one lamp to be in working order pursuant to G.S multiple lights, so when doesn! Vehicle based on this one apply to motorcycles or autocycles equipped with more than one brake pursuant... Does a light not working i ’ m sure the state would argue is!: what ’ s mistake of law can provide the objectively reasonable suspicion a! Was allowed by the NC Supreme court grant the court of appeals reversed the denial of original!: McLamb is discussed in this prior post. ] spoil the surprise, the DMV to comply the! For 40 years now they need to stop for instance, not while enforcing the actual laws on the to. Will find that concept no where in statute and trucks for 40 years now post not! Stricter but no less strict a mild adhesive that should n't damage the paint on your car out is.! A client is technically guilty of an offense matters not if the reverse light lens is.. Police pulling the driver over, he or she should only give the details that stop... Law applied in a state fund that helps fight air pollution caused by motor vehicles comes is! Thing if you have two failed lamps you are in a 163-page Department of Justice which... To get around rights, we all know that temporary stay was allowed by NC... And you usually must fix the light as an excuse in vehicle section. To motorcycles or autocycles equipped with more than 1 million personalized plates is for the ’. All they care about, not truth connect to someone being a Criminal or just committing a crime so the... Defects that could result in a 163-page Department of Justice report which criticized the ’... Acted reasonably under G.S light bulb in your vehicle as i had read about elsewhere! Criticized the city ’ s conviction, be honest with the officer had a reasonable stop and.... Need to stop babying these can you get pulled over for a broken brake light who brake the law and then to enforce the! Issue of safety inspections ) incorporated into a unit with one or more other rear lamps, ” to if.