Mayes Middleton supported continued investigative use of license-plate readers but wanted active-case requirements and penalties for misuse
2026 Republican candidate for Texas attorney general
“You got to have an active case, just like they did in my case here when they stole the car.”
Source and context
Interview
About this source
Candidate interviews with Nathan Johnson and Mayes Middleton
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
CBS News Texas asked Middleton whether police should be able to search ALPR databases.
After the quotation
He cited a stolen-vehicle recovery and proposed guardrails, not abolition.
How this statement is classified
Case context: Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is whether networked license-plate reader systems such as Flock should exist and be used. Middleton supported continued investigative use of license-plate readers but said searches need an active case and misuse needs penalties. Keeping the readers under conditions fits Mixed or conditional.
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- Published here
Should Flock-style license-plate surveillance networks exist?
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
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