They will put the blame on the last Feeder driver who put it on door as an empty !! Most likely the Shifter,,who will in turn blame the last driver who brought it in , then so on and so on !! THE first thing you look at when grabbing any trailer,should be the Federal Inspection sticker !
Your right, that's what they'll try. Hopefully that driver documented which dispatcher he reported the soon to be invalid sticker to when he brought it in. Or the Mgr that talked him into bringing it in with a bad one. If he did it on his own or didn't bother looking then it's on him.
What is your understanding of who is responsible to make sure trailers without certification do not make it in the line up? I figure in your position you would know.
Well hopefully the driver that picked it up at the railyard made folks aware that the due date was close even though it should be in the computer when the trl number is pulled up for any movement. Spotting a trailer on the wall to be unloaded would be another time to check it but frankly at that point the only care is to get it into the bay asap, pull push or drag. When it's an empty pull would be another chance but primary pulls are just as hot as spots. The number one time to stop such a trailer is when it's backed under in preparation of a spot in a load bay. It should the first thing looked at before one even puts the hoses on.
Now as far as responsibility. I've seen drivers fail to check stickers. Ive seen mgmt fail to check stickers. I've seen drivers bring attention to a sticker and be told to spot it anyway. The sticker that expires at midnight but "it's good enough to get it to the railyard" where the buck can be passed is always a favorite. I've seen, and been the driver, in the OP's situation where it's brought to mgmt's attention and they want me to move it. I've never had anyone take me up on my offer of putting it in writing that I was directed to move the trailer so they will sit until the next person comes along.
I think what you were getting at and I agree is that neither side can cast any stones.