Can license plates in plain view of an officer be queried without an investigative reason?

The correct answer is that license plates in plain view of an officer can indeed be queried without an investigative reason. This is based on the principle of public domain and reasonable expectation of privacy. When a license plate is displayed on a vehicle, it is considered publicly visible information, and law enforcement officers have the authority to run checks on it as part of their operational duties. This means that officers can query the license plate to check for relevant information, such as whether the vehicle is reported stolen or associated with any criminal activities.

The ability to access this information without needing an investigative reason helps officers ensure public safety and address immediate concerns. It is part of their responsibility to monitor roads and traffic, allowing them to respond swiftly to situations that may arise from the data obtained through such checks.

Other options imply conditions that unnecessarily limit officers' ability to access this public information, which does not align with law enforcement protocols regarding license plate inquiries visible to them in the course of their duties.