While on routine patrol in Sunnyvale, California, at approximately 2:40 in the morning, Officer James Rand stopped an automobile when he observed that one headlight and its license plate light were burned out.

In response to the policeman's question, Gonzales could not produce a driver's license, Rand asked if any of the other five had any evidence of identification.

Gonzales testified that Alcala actually helped in the search of the car by opening the trunk and glove compartment.

"Wadded up under the left rear seat, the police officers found three checks that had previously been stolen from a car wash.

That differentiates the case from Miranda v. Arizona in which the Court held that defendants must know of their rights against self-incrimination in the course of a custodial interrogation.