Improper display of temporary tag in violation of state law justifies stop of out-of-state vehicle

SEARCH & SEIZURE United States v. Ledesma, No. 05-3163, ___ F.3d ___ (10th Cir. May 19, 2006)(Kansas). Appeal of district court’s denial of motion to suppress drug evidence seized as result of search of vehicle after traffic stop. HELD: Displaying out-of-state temporary tag behind heavily tinted rear window violates Kansas statute requiring that license plates appear in position to be clearly visible. State police, therefore, properly stopped vehicle and did not exceed permissible scope of traffic stop by issuing citation and requesting consent for search of vehicle. Read the opinion here.