Any attorneys or judges here?

Have a question regarding .02 violation.  Son was picked up, blew a .03...since he was 19, he got it for .02 violation.

He's wrong, shouldn't have been drinking.  He admits that, blames nobody but himself.  But...the only reason the law enforcement stopped him was (besides the 5 teenagers in the car) because of his Lic plate cover.  I had to go pick him up at the station.  I directly asked the arresting officer why was he stopped?  Officer replied only reason was because of the license plate cover, they are illegal to have on.  Couldn't read the plate?  Officer said he could, no problem, they are just illegal.  At the time, I didn't know they really are legal to have on your vehicle, as long as they don't obstruct the view of the plate.  My son has already attended the classes, and paid the fines.  Thing is, this is a DOT violation, and I cannot contest the stop.  BECASUE, it is a DOT violation, not a felony stop.  He would have been in better shape had he been picked up for OWI, legally, not ethically, of course.  Kind of ridiculous, you don't have any rights, even though in Iowa you can have license plates on your car, as long as they don't obstruct the plate.  This officer stated in front of me, my wife, and son, he had no problem seeing the plate. 

We have a phone hearing in November.  I really don't want to fork over the $2500 buck for the attorney, as chances of winning are slim to nil because he had blown the .03, he can't refute that.

Any advice?  This is a good kid, who has never been in any trouble at school, with the law, anywhere.  He is attending JC right now, and doing well.  He desires to be a teacher, but this violation may impede his ability to land a job in this field.

Thanks in advance!

He's young and there is plenty of time to prove to people he is a good person, no matter what he as done in the past.

If he is charged with the impaired, the only thing he could do is learn from the mistake.....if he wants to become a teacher nothing should stand in his way. The one thing he may want to consider is to start up an awarness of drinking and driving in the community.

My wife and I started a free service in our community called "Keys to Us" We advertise in bars,and what we do is,when we get a phone call we come to the bar,pick the person up and drive them home safely,and my wife drives their car home.  3 years later we now have funding from the government for our business.

just a thought..............people remember people for the good things not the bad.

Yes, I posted it before.  Wasn't sure if we were going to contest, or at least try that time.  We figure, what the hell?  I remember getting some great advice, just don't remember from whom.  Sorry for posting it again, just would like to solid advice from someone experienced with this. 

And yes, this could stop him from being a teacher, or coach, as they would never let him drive.

I am a little confused.

He blew well below the limit for a dui, so he will be off the hook there.

Are you worried about him having a conviction for driving with a cover over his license plate?

Is the prosecution trying to charge him with an alcohol offense for having >02 in his system?

agreed, but, what signs were exhibited to lead him to believe the 19 yr old was drinking.

.02 doesn't usually "smell of alcoholic beverage on or about the person"

agreed with all the above, but .02?

Would love to know what charge they are looking to defend....
Alchohol law because he is under 21 I am guessing, but, I doubt that would keep him from being a "teacher, or coach, as they would never let him drive"

The arresting officer stated "he could smell alcohol" when he went to the car.  There were 5 teenagers, 18 - 19 years of age in the car.  All had been drinking, very lightyly, no one else was arrested, or even checked, he checked their ID's and away they went.  He had NOTHING else in his system.  The arresting officer stated he stopped the car because he said license plate covers are illegal.  I have a friend on the force, James Loveland.  He said, well, they told us it's a "gray area", meaning if the obscure the lic plate, yes, then they could be illegal.  The arresting officer stated he could see the plate fine; obviously, he was confused about the legality of the cover.  BUT, since this is a DOT charge, and since my son already blew the .03....you can't contest it, even though it was not a legal stop.  It's bullshit, and no-one I have spoken with in law enforcement will deny that.  It's a loop-hole for law enforcement.  It was a bull-shit stop.  A cop saw a bunch of kids, one with a mohawk in the passenger front seat, in a car at 11:05 at night and pulled them over.  Please stop trying to read more into this, there isn't.  Thank you.

Exactly.  The cop lied.  He may NOT have smelled anything.  There were also NO empty alcohol containers in the car, or any illegal substances.