What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New Jersey
The quick question is, Can a police officer just ride through a parking lot (large outdoor mall) and check registrations on vehicles?
The details:
My wife was parked in at a large strip mall. One with a grocery store, restaurants, gamestop, etc. When she came out there were 2 notices:
1) Ticket for 'Expired Registration' and it lists Ordinance 228-8 in Freehold Township. The ordinance is for vehicles parked in a 'public' parking lot with expired registration.
2) A notice stating that the vehicle is illegal, she risks furhter violations if she drives it, and the car will be towed if its not registered in 72 hours.
We did miss the registration. No question about that. But as a side note, my wife called DMV to ask if they ever sent the renewal form and she was told that they haven't always been going out.... I am befuddled by THAT one!
Anyway, my problem with this is the methods by the police. It just seems to me that it is an officer just being able to 'search' the vehicle at his own discretion. At the very least, it seems a cheap way to generate funds by hitting people just trying to get groceries. And this isn't even late. It happened at 9:12 AM. My wife called me in a friggin panic that she needed me to come home to get the car registered and pick her up! (I work 1 1/2 hours away if there is NO traffic!)
Thanks for any comments or opinions.
The quick question is, Can a police officer just ride through a parking lot (large outdoor mall) and check registrations on vehicles?
The details:
My wife was parked in at a large strip mall. One with a grocery store, restaurants, gamestop, etc. When she came out there were 2 notices:
1) Ticket for 'Expired Registration' and it lists Ordinance 228-8 in Freehold Township. The ordinance is for vehicles parked in a 'public' parking lot with expired registration.
2) A notice stating that the vehicle is illegal, she risks furhter violations if she drives it, and the car will be towed if its not registered in 72 hours.
We did miss the registration. No question about that. But as a side note, my wife called DMV to ask if they ever sent the renewal form and she was told that they haven't always been going out.... I am befuddled by THAT one!
Anyway, my problem with this is the methods by the police. It just seems to me that it is an officer just being able to 'search' the vehicle at his own discretion. At the very least, it seems a cheap way to generate funds by hitting people just trying to get groceries. And this isn't even late. It happened at 9:12 AM. My wife called me in a friggin panic that she needed me to come home to get the car registered and pick her up! (I work 1 1/2 hours away if there is NO traffic!)
Thanks for any comments or opinions.