How Police Use License Plate Readers in Florida Criminal Investigations
License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology is increasingly used in criminal investigations in the State of Florida. This technology assists police in locating vehicles that have been involved in criminal activity, have been stolen, or have active warrants. Even though ALPR technology can be useful in some investigations, it is important to understand whether there are any privacy concerns regarding its use.
What are automatic license plate readers?
An Automatic License Plate Reader is an automated camera mounted on a police car, a pole, a light fixture, or another location. The camera captures license plates from passing cars and uses software to interpret the characters on plates and digitize them for search purposes.
License plate scanners can collect the following information:
- Date and time of scan
- Location of the car
- Pictures of the car
- Direction of movement of the car
The authorities may run the above information through databases of stolen cars, persons wanted by the police, or AMBER Alert cases.
How is ALPR data used in criminal investigations?
ALPR data could have a considerable impact on a criminal case investigation. ALPR data could be used by the prosecution to establish that the defendant’s car was near the scene of a crime or followed specific routes before or after the crime.
This would include such purposes as:
- Placing the vehicle at the crime scene, such as in a burglary or robbery
- Reinforcing testimony from witnesses regarding the suspect’s movements
- Identifying vehicles associated with investigations into drug trafficking
- Establishing the movements of the suspect
While ALPR data can be compelling, it is not very compelling on its own because it identifies only the car, not the driver.
Are there constitutional concerns?
ALPR information is subject to scrutiny, just like any other piece of evidence. The defense can question the following:
- If the license plate has been identified correctly
- How this data was collected and stored
- If there is a good chain of custody
- Whether this evidence connects the defendant rather than the car itself to the crime committed
- If the constitutional rights have been violated
Usually, ALPR evidence is only one part of a bigger investigation. Therefore, the defense lawyer should analyze the process by which this evidence was collected and decide its admissibility in court.
Protecting your rights
Criminal investigation has been transformed by technology, although constitutional safeguards remain in place to protect those involved in these matters. It is crucial, particularly when license plate reader information is used as evidence, to recognize the advantages and disadvantages of this form of evidence.
A skilled criminal defense lawyer in Florida will be able to analyze your situation and identify potential weaknesses in your case.
Talk to a Tallahassee, FL, Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Luke Newman, P.A., represents the interests of Tallahassee residents who are facing criminal charges. Call our Tallahassee criminal defense lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense right away.
