This educational guide is based on the linked primary sources. It is not a Court publication, is not affiliated with the Court, and is not legal advice.
In brief
Overview
According to Ms. Sarah E. Harrington, kansas (the petitioner) contends that it is always reasonable to presume that a car is being driven by its unlicensed owner.
According to Ms. Sarah E. Harrington, Charles Glover (the respondent) argues that the assumption that an unlicensed owner is the driver is not justified because the officer had no knowledge of who was driving.
Background and question before the Court
According to Ms. Sarah E. Harrington, kansas asks the Court to adopt a bright‑line nationwide rule that it is always reasonable to assume a car is being driven by its unlicensed owner.
What each side argues
Petitioner (Kansas)
According to Toby Crouse, Kansas argues that reasonable suspicion is a minimal standard that permits a brief investigation based on an officer’s objective and particularized suspicion.
Respondent (Charles Glover)
According to Ms. Sarah E. Harrington, Glover’s counsel argues that the Court has been asked to adopt a nationwide bright‑line rule that it is always reasonable to assume an unlicensed owner is driving, but no evidence has been provided to support that assumption.
According to Ms. Sarah E. Harrington, the respondent points out that the officer stipulated he had no idea who was driving and declined to testify about why an unlicensed driver would be presumed to be behind the wheel.
According to Ms. Sarah E. Harrington, the core question, according to the respondent, is whether an owner who lacks a valid license usually drives the vehicle, not merely whether owners typically drive their cars.
What happened at oral argument
The appearances included Toby Crouse, Solicitor General for Kansas; Michael R. Huston, Assistant to the Solicitor General for the United States (amicus); and Sarah E. Harrington, Esq., for the respondent.
What the Court decided
Why it matters
Terms to know
No glossary terms are available for this guide.
Primary sources
Read the source materials on the official site or open the immutable repository copy used for this guide.
- 19f9c7cca83db9c081bc-r1-efd3f60c6f52c0fd.pdforal argument transcript
Guide generated September 27, 2026. Automated validation accepted this version.