WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court opened its new term Monday pondering whether a police officer’s misunderstanding of the law can justify a traffic stop that led to the seizure of illegal drugs.

Several of the justices questioned whether it was reasonable for the North Carolina officer to pull over a car because one of its two brake lights was burned out, even though a quirky state law requires only one light to be functional.

Recommended Stories

Supreme Court balances Fourth Amendment rights and a government duty

Supreme Court says government generally needs warrant to obtain cellphone location information

Court: Police can shoot dog if it moves or barks when cop enters home