Your interpretation of the situation says that a paint color mismatch (the models being the same between registration and vehicle) is probable cause for investigating a possible stolen plate. The court determined that a color mismatch, where the vehicle make and model match is NOT probable cause.
The issue is this: What causes are more common for a registration/vehicle color mismatch (without make/model differences)?
1. Stolen plate
2. Clerical error
3. Painting the car
These 3 are off the top of my head. There was a poster above who cited that the factory named his car’s color “green”, the state registered it as “green”, and yet it mostly looks silver.
The court stated specifically that the color/registration mismatch, by itself, is insufficient to make a stop. That is because there are too many ways for the registration to be wrong, or for the color to have been modified, neither of which are infractions on part of the owner/driver.
If the make/model and color are wrong - then that is probable cause. More than one item incorrect, including the basic information that forms the substance of the registration.
Needless to say, I disagree with your point of view. You are essentially asserting the exact opposite of the finding, and doing so in an area that is rife with legal reasons for a mismatch.
“Needless to say, I disagree with your point of view. You are essentially asserting the exact opposite of the finding, and doing so in an area that is rife with legal reasons for a mismatch.”
If color mismatch isn’t reason for a stop...
A perp stealing a car would learn pretty quick to switch plates with another of that model and not need to worry about being stopped.
As I mentioned earlier, hardly anyone would notice if their plate was switched.
I understand your well reasoned argument, but I think it would remove the tools necessary for cops to do their job.