Kansas Supreme Court Overturns Drug Conviction Tied to License Plate Stop

Obstructed State Name on Plate Didn't Justify Stop

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Supreme Court has overturned the drug-trafficking conviction of a man stopped on Interstate 70 due to a partially obstructed license plate.

In a unanimous ruling, the court said Geary County sheriff’s deputy Bradley Rose lacked legal grounds to pull over Brian Beck in March 2021. Rose had initiated the stop because a frame around Beck’s out-of-state license plate covered part of the word “Illinois.” However, the justices ruled that Kansas law does not require the full state name to be visible on a license plate.

"No statute requires displaying the Kansas state name anywhere other than on the registration decal, where it may be abbreviated," Justice Eric Rosen wrote in the 13-page opinion.

Court Rejects Lower Rulings

The Kansas Court of Appeals had previously upheld Beck’s conviction, agreeing with the trial court that the plate was not “clearly visible.” But the Supreme Court disagreed, stating that both lower courts applied the wrong legal standard when deciding whether reasonable suspicion existed.

“We reject the analytic framework adopted by the lower courts and their conclusions of law,” the high court said.

The justices concluded that the traffic stop violated Beck’s constitutional rights. As a result, the evidence obtained — including 2.1 pounds of methamphetamine found after a drug-sniffing dog alerted officers — must be suppressed.

Details of the Stop

During the stop near Junction City, Deputy Rose testified that Beck appeared nervous, was breathing heavily, and said he was lost. Rose used these observations to justify detaining Beck and requesting a drug dog.

After the dog indicated possible drugs, a search of the vehicle uncovered a satchel of methamphetamine. Beck attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended and later charged with drug trafficking, failing to purchase a drug tax stamp, and interfering with law enforcement.

He was convicted in Geary County District Court, with Judge Courtney Boehm denying a motion to suppress the evidence. Beck, 56, was sentenced to at least 10 years in prison and remained incarcerated at Winfield Correctional Facility when the Supreme Court issued its decision.

Legal and Broader Implications

Justice Dan Biles expressed concern during oral arguments about the broader implications of the case, pointing out that many license plate frames — including those covering part of the word “Kansas” — could theoretically lead to criminal charges.

“There are a lot of frames that cover up half of the word ‘Kansas’ — a lot,” Biles said. “Anyone driving with that frame is subject to six months in jail? Is that where we’re at?”

The case will return to district court for further review, but Beck’s convictions have been vacated. His attorney, Kasper Schirer, argued the initial stop violated the Fourth Amendment.

“When no traffic law has been violated, the Fourth Amendment does not allow for suspicionless seizures,” Schirer said.

The ruling may affect how law enforcement handles traffic stops based on obscured license plates and could offer relief to many Kansas drivers.