# How do police identify all the different license plates available today? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 20, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742 "2017-07-20T18:11:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/41 "2017-07-23T15:13:30Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Just for the record, I’m glad we don’t have red light cameras/photo radar here. They’re ripe for abuse and I’m stunned that they have even passed constitutional muster. They only pass that muster if the violation becomes a civil fine, rather than a criminal offense. With civil fines, we don’t get all worried about things like “beyond a reasonable doubt”. In essence, a civil fine can be based on the practical legal idea that you, as the registered owner of the car, are responsible for how it is parked/driven/etc. Thus, for example, the fines for parking too long in one place, etc. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/42 "2017-07-23T18:41:09Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > That’s pretty much the US system Not completely. In most places a violator doesn’t have to pay the fine right then and there (except, as I said, if it’s an out of state driver. Then they can be made to post a bond which is equivalent to the fine if they choose not to come back and contest it). I’m thinking **bob++** meant everyone has to pay right then and there. One of the things people don’t understand is, a citation is a form of courtesy arrest. The violator is allowed to go on his way with the understanding that he either has to pay the fine or appear in court. There is nothing that says they have a right to that. I can arrest and book you for speeding and hold you until you either make bond or see a judge, even if you are a local driver. This of course is almost never done and if I started doing it on a regular basis the judge, ADA, my departments court officer, the captain, lieutenant, sergeant, and chief would all hound my ass. > [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > They only pass that muster if the violation becomes a civil fine, rather than a criminal offense. With civil fines, we don’t get all worried about things like “beyond a reasonable doubt”. This isn’t so. In my state ordinance violations aren’t criminal offenses and can only be punished with a civil fine. But the violator still has constitutional rights to due process, 4th Amendment, court trial, facing his accusers, etc., and can only be fined if found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. One thing I don’t like about red light cameras is I’ve seen municipalities that have them set up short yellow lights (3 seconds or less. The standard is supposed to be 4 seconds or more). Even traveling at the speed limit or slower a motorist typically has no way of stopping before the short yellow turns red. _click_. I don’t have a problem fining people for egregious violations, but that kind of set up is bullshit. What I don’t like about photo radar is it’s many times unmanned. This prevents a defendant from challenging an operator on proficiency, traffic history prior to the violation speed, etc… Both photo radar and red light cameras are nothing but revenue generating schemes that have nothing to do with safety. I didn’t become a LEO to screw the public like that. Luckily my state has banned both of those things. ---
**Author:** ![JHBoom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/13edae/32.png) [@JHBoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JHBoom)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/43 "2017-07-26T01:49:58Z")
> [@ZurBob](#): > > Ohio went to the cheap printed plates some time ago. > Anyone know of any States that still emboss/stamp plates with raised effects? PA definitely does. I think NJ does as well. > [@pkbites](#): > > I know of no agencies around here that have installed those on squads. At home, our local PD has one car with the license plate scanner setup installed, paid for by a Homeland Security grant. A neighboring town’s (smaller) PD has one as well. The PA State Police have many; I see them often when I’m at home. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/44 "2017-07-26T02:16:56Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Wisconsins are raised still. Illinois plates are, as well. They’ve just started issuing a new plate design this year, the first update to the “general” plate since 2001 (and many cars now have plates that are 15 or 16 years old, from when the last design was first issued). ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/45 "2017-07-26T03:05:20Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Wisconsins are raised still. The question is how they are raised. As decent, polite children, or as little hellions. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/46 "2017-07-26T03:08:14Z")
I don’t think that Wisconsin has hellions. Heckions, at worst. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/47 "2017-07-26T03:42:01Z")
Police forces have gone high-tech since the days of Crown Vics and their low skilled ride-along civilian [Trunk Monkeys](http://www.policemag.com/cop-slang/trunk-monkey.aspx). These days, each CHEVROLET CAPRICE PPV, DODGE CHARGER, and FORD POLICE INTERCEPTOR has both front and rear video capture that is recorded and called-in by a highly skilled but still inexpensive (works for peanuts) [Trunk Monkey](https://youtu.be/AdeIpLTjD3M?list=RDAdeIpLTjD3M). ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/48 "2017-07-26T03:50:29Z")
> [@JHBoom](#): > > I think NJ does as well. Not any more. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2017, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/49 "2017-07-26T03:54:23Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > what do you mean by “on the spot fines”? Do people have to pay right then and there? If that’s what you mean, no, we don’t have that in Wisconsin. the exception is for a traffic violator that is from out of state from a state that doesn’t border Wisconsin (for some reason Indiana is included but I don’t know why). Those violators can be booked and made to post bond. This is because Wisconsin is one of only 4 states that is not a member of the national Drivers Compact. That happened to us Ontarians while _not_ speeding on an interstate in Wisconsin. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2017, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/50 "2017-07-27T00:23:21Z")
> [@ZurBob](#): > > Ohio went to the cheap printed plates some time ago. > Anyone know of any States that still emboss/stamp plates with raised effects? Virginia. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742.md?page=2)