Car is getting towed. >> For what? >> Because the tag is not assigned to this. This can't be on the roadway. You have 1 second to get out or I'm pulling you out. >> Stop. Now you're going to go to jail for resisting. >> What did I do? What I do? >> You don't listen. >> What I do? >> How many times he tell you not to walk up behind him? >> vehicle. Plain and simple. >> You better hope you don't find whatever's in there. Here we go. >> On November 12th, 2024, in Sarasota County, Florida, a routine stop for a switch plate ended with a woman sentenced to 18 months. The real issue is not the plate, it is what that plate triggered. When the tow was ordered, the legal framework shifted entirely. Under South Dakota versus Opperman, warrantless inventory searches of lawfully impounded vehicles do not violate the Fourth Amendment. >> How you doing? >> Hi. >> You got your license on you, too? >> What I doing? >> So, a couple things. One, you're not wearing a seat belt. And two, the tag on the car the last two characters all the green is missing. So, the tag's unreadable. So, you can't read these last two characters in the show. You don't have to. Not a big deal. It's just a minor traffic stop. Uh do you have the registration for the tag that's on the car? Cuz that's not this. That's not the tag that's on it. >> What's the tag on it? >> E78 something. >> That's what the tag was on it. >> Uh it's an E78 something or that's on the back of the car. It's on a 10-74. Can you advise what the 28 comes back to? Is that like an old tag of yours or >> I can't remember. >> Here, I'll show you. See, it's supposed to be IV9. It's supposed to be IV9. >> Is it going to be the same as the search we did on the county? I'm not I'm not from here. >> All right. So, we can work past that. Um do you have insurance on the car? >> Yeah. >> Can you pull it up on your phone or Good. Where are you off to today? >> Um to to to Charlotte. It is Maryland. >> Okay. So, that tag that's on it expired in 2015. That's not assigned to any vehicle. >> I don't know. So, maybe somebody switched my my tags or something cuz I have I have a regular tag. I don't know I don't know why I would have put that one on there. I mean, I have a tag for it. The tag that's on there. I haven't lost a tag. I have a You know what I mean? I don't know why that one was on there. Maybe somebody switched it or >> I don't I don't know what to tell you. >> I don't know. I don't know either. Where is my registration? You think this is going to expire? You think? All right. >> Do you know who your insurance is through? >> Progressive. >> Okay. There's that back. I'm going to hold on to this just to double check that the correct registration is on it. >> Okay. >> So, I'm not going to up and take you to jail for having different tags on it. Okay. >> Thank you. I appreciate that cuz I don't know where the my tags are at. >> I got you. Just give me a minute. >> got a new registration, too, so I had to put a new sticker on. >> All right. Very well could have been, you know, someone switched tags around or someone at your house or boyfriend, kid, something. >> Yeah. >> But uh just give me a minute. Is everything's good with your license, not suspended or revoked, nothing like that? Just give me a minute. I'll get back to you. >> Thank you. >> Uh she swears that that tag she don't even know where that tag came from. But do you want to uh >> Yeah. >> You want to see if she'll give you the >> Yeah. Hi. How are you? >> How are you? >> Good. Officer Mills, I'm just here to help him out. >> Okay. >> What happened with your tag? >> I'm sorry I >> So, this is your car? >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm trying to figure that out right now. >> Did you have the registration for this or not? What's that? I'm sorry. >> Yeah, he's got it. >> Yeah. What's your What's your first name? >> Sarah. >> Sarah? Sarah, um while he's writing up your paperwork, do you mind if I just search your vehicle real quick? >> No, you're not searching my vehicle. >> Okay. >> You can't just search my vehicle for what? >> Just a question. It's part of my job. >> Okay, but I I've done nothing wrong to to >> You're right, and that's why it's a question. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Did you have a Charlotte tag on it? >> It was, yeah. >> Yeah. >> I don't know how it would have got switched. >> Yeah. >> I mean, I know I didn't do it. >> Yeah, I'm not sure. Damn, what happened? Got a big hole in your door. >> My boyfriend. >> Oh. That's not good. >> I'm sorry. >> Is that how all that happened, too? >> No, no. This this This is like This is the stupid radio that was like there. >> Oh, okay. >> No, but they pulled it off to to change the radio out. >> Yeah. >> And the tabs broke off. >> Got you. What did you hit that with? >> Sledgehammer. Did a good job. >> Yeah? I'd say so. >> Yeah. >> Not very nice. >> right through it. You know what I mean? >> Yeah, it's Well, not very nice. >> No, no, no. >> Who's your boyfriend? >> You don't know him. >> Just curious. >> Tell him I'm I'm late for an interview if you could like >> Yeah, yeah. He's He's He's going. New job? >> So, you're getting a new job? >> Yeah. >> Nice. >> Thank you. I make a dollar here. >> What time's your What time's your appointment at? >> 3:45. >> What is it? >> 3:45. >> 3:45? Damn, you ain't making it now. >> What time is it? >> 3:38. Where's it at? >> King's Highway. >> Oh, yeah. You got to leave earlier. You never would have made it anyway. >> I would have made it. It's still fine. I couldn't find my keys. >> Uh-huh. >> You guys do this to everybody you pull over? >> Yep. >> Why? >> It's part of my job. >> Just stand there and creep up on somebody like that? >> Did I creep up on you? I walked up and introduced myself. >> You just did it on that side. >> Yeah, I don't want to get hit by a car. Have you never been pulled over before? >> I've been pulled over three times, yeah. I've never had this before, >> Oh. All right, I'll get her out. Start searching it. >> All right. >> [snorts] >> You're going to have her get out. We're going to end up towing. >> Yeah. Ma'am, can you hop out on that side for me? >> What? >> Cuz I asked you to hop out of the car. >> Why am I hopping out of the car? >> I'm not going to ask you again. Can you get out of the car, please? >> just like to know why I'm being asked to get out of the car. >> Please don't make me come around the car or move you from the car. Get out of the car. >> I don't have to get out of the car until you tell me what to do. This is just >> Are you going to get out or am I pulling you out of the car? >> Why am I getting out of the car? >> is getting towed. >> For what? >> Because the tag is not assigned to this. This can't be on the roadway. You have 1 second to get out or I'm pulling you out. >> Okay. Well, can I turn my car off? >> Get out of the car. >> Okay. Jesus Christ, dude. >> Jesus Christ, you don't listen. >> What do you mean I don't listen? >> into this. Stand over here. It's an easy way to go to jail when we keep giving you lawful orders. >> You need to tell me why I'm getting out of my car, though. >> Yeah, the car is getting towed. It can't be on the road. >> You didn't tell me that until the last minute. >> You just You just did. >> And you still didn't listen. >> I did listen. I just didn't turn my car off. >> Okay. Just relax. >> You need to relax. >> Why are you guys Why are you driving around with a tag on it that doesn't belong on it? >> I didn't know that it was the wrong tag. >> Okay. >> I didn't even know it got switched. >> tag belongs on it? Do you know what a license plate is? >> tag goes on it. >> What is it? >> I don't know the net tag number. >> You don't know the tag number? >> know the tag number. >> Do you have your registration? >> Yes, I gave it to you. >> that would have that would have the correct tag number on it. >> Okay. Well, I don't know where my tags have been. >> Okay. Well, you should know that before you get into a car. >> I don't look at my tag every time I get in the vehicle. >> Okay. Is this car registered to you? >> Yes, it's registered. >> Okay. So, who who would be taking the tag off your car? >> I have no clue. Somebody in a parking lot, maybe. I don't have no clue. >> All right. If that's the case, just be cautious. And if it gets stolen, call us to report it stolen. >> I didn't know that was until now. >> I understand. I imagine there's insurance on it. >> Yeah, of course there's insurance. >> Okay. All right. Yeah, it's actually a crime. A lot of people don't realize it. I'm not saying you put this tag on it, but some people will put a tag that doesn't belong it and it's an arrestable offense. Again, I'm not saying that you did it, but some Let's be reasonable and realistic with one another. If you were in a parking lot and somebody took the tag that belonged on the car off of it, you would at least recognize that that tag is no longer on it. Therefore, you would have put another tag on it. >> Unless they switched my tag with theirs. >> Unless they switched Yes, exactly. That's the only That's the only thing I can think of. >> got a ticket. >> Yeah. But I mean, I drive my car every day. I would know if there's a a new tag on it or a different tag. >> I don't really pay attention to the tag. >> Okay. Yeah. What's the name? >> know what the tag what the tag number was to begin with. >> Okay. Well, again, it's on your on your registration. >> Right. Right. Right. But I mean, I don't know what the tag number is. I figured the tag that's on it is my tag. >> Yeah. If you can't find it, if you end up going home today and you're able to find the right license plate on it, make sure that goes right back on it. >> You guys can't just let me go. You don't you have to tow it? >> No, it can't be on the roadway. It can't be on the roadway. No. >> What can I Can you just leave it here until I can go find my tag? It's an hour away. >> The car's getting towed. We're not taking you to jail over it. You could be going to jail. >> I don't have the money to get it out from towing. That's the thing. >> Okay. Well, I understand, but it's >> You don't understand. You can't let me just leave it here and then I go look for the tag. Real quick. >> I I understand that people have financial issues. We have a job to do. That's That's where we're at. >> But it's not I mean, it's not going to go anywhere. >> It can't stay here. It can't just stay on the side of the road. No, it can't. >> You give it like 24 hours to >> No, that's not the rule. I appreciate you trying to educate me on how this works, but that's not how it works. >> I'm going to call them. >> In a few minutes. Stay outside of the car. Yeah, she's reluctant about whatever's in that car right now. Chains got yanked out. Did she end up giving you her insurance? Yeah. So. She's saying, "Oh, somebody uh, a parking lot must have taken my tag off and put this tag on. >> Okay. >> Probably what she did is she's going to go pick up the dog and find that she put the >> Maybe. >> You want to start going through it? >> But, even Yeah, I will, but even then, like, they have a good decal sticker on it, too. So, they must have, cuz there's no way this tag that expired in what, '15? Yeah, they must have switched it. >> said that she put the new decal on >> She said that? >> Yeah, she's like, I just put the decal on it. So, you're telling me when you go to put the registration on, you don't notice it's the wrong tag? >> So, you said you put the decal sticker on this? Uh, okay. Yeah. Anyways, I have to inventory it. Did you say you need your phone out of the car? >> It's my phone in my purse. It's in >> Okay. All right. I don't like What are you doing? Stand over there. >> Why can't I get my phone in my purse that I have in my car? I'm not being arrested. >> All right. >> You don't have to inventory anything. >> Yeah, it's getting inventory. It's getting towed. So, we have to inventory. You're worried about what's in that car. You can >> I'm just I I'm not worried about anything. You're just being a [ __ ] about this. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> How? >> You know You know why and you know how. >> I know why and I know how. >> Yes. Yes. >> You've been difficult since we started this whole >> How am I being difficult? >> Cuz you're saying that I'm creeping up on you and I can't help myself. >> You keep creeping up on me on either side and you stood there like, you know, just like this. >> Yeah, we have a job to do. I would encourage you to do it. >> Your job is to sit there and watch over me the whole entire time I'm in here. But, I've never had that done before. >> Well, first time for everything, isn't it? >> Well, I guess so. Well, like I said, first time for everything. >> Yep. >> First time for everything, so goodbye. >> Okay. Well, there you go. There's your There's your explanation. >> talk to me. Get out of the car. Get out of the car. You didn't even talk about getting out of the >> I don't have to tell you to get out. No, I don't. You don't know as much as you think you know, sweetheart. So, sit against the car and don't walk up on me again. You'll get your phone when we're done. You want to bet? That's fine. It's called an inventory search. It doesn't matter. We're in the wrong. We're in the wrong. Back up. I don't care. STOP. YOU DON'T LISTEN. HOW MANY TIMES DID HE TELL YOU not to walk up behind him? Yeah. You better hope you don't find whatever's in there. You don't need to consent. No, you're wrong. Stand up. No, man. We're going to find all your meth now. Why can't you just listen? It would be so much easier. No. Relax. You just made something so difficult that didn't have to go that way. Okay, you also don't need to walk up behind me after he told you exit How many times did he tell you? Don't walk up behind him. What do you do? Let me explain something to you, okay? The tag that's on the car is not supposed to be on it. So, we have we have to take the tag off the car. Okay? Without a license plate on the car, the car is not allowed to be operated on the roadway. So, it has to be towed. It can't be left here. It's a highway obstruction. I said I wasn't going to take you to jail for the misdemeanor attaching tag. That's what I said. That's what I told you. Okay? It's an It's an inventory search cuz >> we have to document what's in the car because it's being towed. Okay? Now, you're going to jail for obstruction because you don't listen. >> I do? Obstruction of what? >> Obstruction of our duties. So, first you don't get out of the car when they tell you to >> why he searched my vehicle. >> First, you don't >> know why he searched my car. >> First, you don't get out of the car when he tells you to get out of the car. >> Cuz he didn't tell me he didn't want to give me a reason to get out of my car. >> We don't have to give you a reason. We tell you to get out of the car, you get out of the car. That's >> I'm always getting told to get out of my car for no reason. >> law. You guys You guys are costing me and you're giving a bad rap. >> that. You need to tell somebody why they're getting out of the vehicle. There's three of you and there's one of me. >> Okay. Well, there was the case law. >> be told why I was getting out of my vehicle. >> There was two of you or two of us cuz I was in my car. >> Okay. Well, there's three of you pulling me over and one of me. >> Okay. >> I wanted to know why I'm being asked to get I take to be asked to get to get out of my >> Cuz he told you to get out of the car. That's the only >> That's not the reason. >> That is. >> And I gave you that actual reason. I told you it's being towed. >> but at the last MINUTE AND THEN I GOT OUT. >> NO, I said it's getting towed. It can't be on the roadway. >> Yeah, at the last minute and then I got out. >> You asked me and I answered and then you didn't get out. So, you were >> Yes, I did. I was getting I was turning my truck off for starters and getting my purse and my >> walk up behind me and then >> Yeah, I wasn't walking behind you. You were looking at me when I walked up. >> Not the second time. That's why you're on the ground. >> You were looking at me when I walked up. >> I know you you know me. I've found meth pipes on you in the past. I hope there's not more in there. >> Okay, but you don't need to be going through purses and going through all that [ __ ] >> through everything in that car. >> Because cuz you're a That's why. >> Okay. >> That's why you want to go through my >> breaks in the last two times. Not today. >> She sucks. Was she like that like from the start? >> I don't know what her deal was. Yeah, keep it on. There must be a lot of dope in this car >> Yeah, she's losing her mind. >> for her to be acting that way. >> What? Yeah. 21. >> There we go. Nope. >> Nope. >> Not even a lot. I don't know why she's acting like an idiot. I've stopped here like two other times. I've never seen her like this. And I've always cut her breaks, but today she didn't get any breaks. Yep. Yeah, look in there in a minute. >> I'm going to grab a flashlight to >> All right. >> get down in there. >> All wound up, old Sarah. She can't afford to get her car out of the tow yard, but she can afford meth. Amazing. >> Consent becomes irrelevant the moment the tow is ordered. Still, the defense counter argument is real and inventory must follow standardized procedures, not serve as a pretext. That line is exactly what court scrutinizes. The stop itself was clean. Under Florida statute 320.261, operating a vehicle with a plate not lawfully assigned is a criminal offense. The officer told Sarah he was not arresting her for it. That was discretion, not weakness. Florida statute 316.605 requires every license plate to be fully legible at all times. Two missing characters on a plate expired since 2015 gave the officer dual grounds before he ever ran the number. The exit order is where people usually fight back and lose. Under Pennsylvania versus Mims, the Supreme Court held that once a vehicle is lawfully stopped, an officer may order the driver out. No additional justification required. While that ruling is 47 years old, it still surprises people. The counter argument is that drivers should at least be told why. That said, Mims does not require an explanation. The sequence here made refusal look like obstruction, not confusion. Florida statute 843.02 defines obstruction without violence as a first-degree misdemeanor. Two refusals to exit, then two approaches from behind after explicit warnings, checked every box of that statute. Officer Mills stated on camera he had previously recovered methamphetamine pipes from Sarah during prior stops. Under Illinois versus Gates, prior criminal history is a legitimate factor in the totality of circumstances. Not proof, but context that officers may weigh. When the methamphetamine was found during the inventory, it became evidence under the plain view doctrine. Officers were lawfully inside the vehicle. What they found was in plain sight. No separate warrant was needed. >> Is that further down towards like uh Got you. >> Ooh, Allison. >> Hello. Um Huh? >> Just saying thank you for coming. >> You're welcome. Does she or what do you guys >> She's going to be booked for obstruction and meth. And she's sitting in the back of So you're going >> Yeah, you can. You want to come over here on the concrete? Have you ever gone to jail before? >> Yeah, once. >> All right, so you know when you get there, if you have something that I don't find, it's a minor charge, right? So, if I miss anything, >> Uh-huh. >> it's going to be an issue. Go ahead. Do you have anything >> All right, 481 10-34. >> Check pockets. All right. Um >> Just double lock it. >> Is he going to go in your car? >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Just want to check the socks, whatever. >> Yep. >> Sit down. Yes, you can. >> You can swing your feet out. I'll put the AC on for >> What are you chewing? >> Gum. >> Can you open your mouth? Where's your tongue at? >> Gracias. >> Can you call my boyfriend for me and tell him I'm going to jail? >> Who's your boyfriend? >> His name's Ron. >> Is it? >> His name's Ron. >> Does your phone have a password? >> I'm going to jail. I'm going to jail. >> Shut up. Come on. >> I got resisting obstruction of justice. Yeah. Yeah. >> Sir, are you kidding me? Hey. Are you okay? >> I guess. I guess. They want to search my [ __ ] They want to tow it. They want to tow it. They want to tow it. And you know who you're going to get a hold of here, so. >> What's that? >> You know who's up here, so. You know what I mean? >> What did you get pulled over for? >> The tag. >> Yeah, but why do you want your tag? >> Uh cuz the two of the two of the two of the letters are are like marked off with brake cleaner. When I get out tonight. >> I'll get you out, okay? >> And then you know who pulled up, so. And then they want to search my vehicle cuz they're going to say it's a [ __ ] tow. I think there's no reason to search my vehicle. They're not giving me a cent. And they did it anyway. >> Are you okay, honey? >> I'm fine. Okay, stop. Stop. Stop. I'm fine. >> I know. Okay, but don't Don't Just be Just be calm and just do what he says and I'll get you out. I don't have I don't have I don't have a lot of [ __ ] money, but I I can make it up to you somehow. >> Go first exit. >> First exit Bill Bonds? >> Yeah, Chris Rosa. >> Okay, I'll call him right now. >> Bye. >> Bye. >> I can't ask you any questions, but this day was a long time coming. Don't act like an idiot. >> I wasn't acting like an idiot. >> I mean, did you really think that he was just going to let you walk to a car when my back is facing towards you? >> Your back wasn't You were looking at me. >> The first time. And then I said don't walk up on me again." And you did it again when my back was turned here. I was looking in the driver's side compartments, and then I hear you hit the ground. You're not going to win. And you're freaking out over a couple grams of meth. Who cares? >> That's not the point. You're not You don't I didn't give you consent to search my vehicle. >> don't matter. You don't understand the law. That's your problem. You can laugh all you want, but like I should have taken your ass to jail on two different occasions. Now we have a good reason to take you to jail. Don't act like an idiot. >> Okay. >> The primary officer handled the stop correctly on the law. The tow was sound, the exit order was lawful, and force only came after two documented warnings were ignored. The one mark against him is a post-arrest comment that fell below the professional standard officers are expected to hold even after the cuffs go on. Officer Mills demonstrated stronger communication throughout. He explained the inventory search doctrine clearly, stayed calm under verbal pressure, and made no legal errors on camera. His use of prior encounter knowledge was accurate and applied correctly. Sarah started this stop with a defensible position. The switch plate may have been genuine. Her refusal of the consent search was entirely within her Fourth Amendment rights. Every decision she made after that point cost her. She confused an inventory search with a consent search, a costly and common mistake. She approached an officer from behind twice after being told not to. By the time the methamphetamine was found, she had already given them obstruction on a silver plate. Lesson one, know the difference between a consent search and an inventory search. Refusing consent is your right, and it is protected. But once your vehicle is lawfully ordered towed, that refusal means nothing. The inventory will happen regardless. Question two, Pennsylvania versus Mims is not optional. If an officer orders you out of a lawfully stopped vehicle, you exit. You dispute it in court, not on the side of the road. Refusing to exit converts a routine traffic stop into an obstruction charge. Question three. Do not approach an officer who has told you to stay back. It does not matter how frustrated you are. That second approach turned this stop into a takedown and a takedown into an arrest. If there is a body cam video, a police encounter, or a legal question you want us to break down, drop it in the comments. Subscribe for more legal analysis and we will see you in the next one.