I want to ask a question. Can you be pulled over for no reason?
I ask this because last night, around 11:40, I was followed by a cop for about 10 minutes. He then decided to pull me over. I asked him if there was a problem and he told me that if i stepped out of the car he would tell me. So I got out of the car and he insisted on asking me over and over again if i had been drinking or had any drugs or guns in my pockets or in the car. I just stood there shaking my head "no". Then another cop car pulls up. Now there are 2 cops who pulled over a guy who did nothing. It starts to rain and the one cop tells me to go back into my car before i get wet. Then the first cop comes over and tells me I can leave and go wherever i was going.

All i want to know is CAN THEY DO THIS?

 

looks like they did.

Maybe your vehicle matches the description of a stolen car/truck or what a suspicious person in that area was driving. It doesn't sound like they harrassed you too much, no harm was done. Look at it as though they must have had some reason to do it, and that they were trying to keep the area safe. Since they didn't pull a Rodney on you I wouldn't worry about it. Of course, it sounds like you weren't acting like a Rodney either

 

It really depends upon your local and state laws. For the most part I would say (and this is just my opinion I am not sure of the laws) that no they cannot just pull you over to pull you over. They need to have some “just cause” to do so, few miles over the speed limit, slightly going over the painted line down the center of the road, no tail light etc.

Reality will tell you that if a cop really wants to pull some one over they will do so and they will find a reason even if it is false. As one mentioned your car could have matched a description of a stolen car or a car involved in illegal activity and those are “just cause” to pull you over since you match a description.

I would think a “respectable” office, after finding out you are not the person or vehicle they are looking for, would come out and tell you ”Sorry Mr. Xxxx but we pulled you over because …..”

The thing to remember and it sounds like you must have, it to be completely respectful to the office and if nothing has been done you will have no problems. It cracks me up sometimes with the young people who for some unknown reason think they “don’t” have to respect the police and then whine when the police screw with them. One day they will learn “everybody” answers to “somebody” and when it is you and the officer he is king and you are the peasant…

 

Hell, they can do Whatever they want these days. Just call it "national Security" or something. They can throw you in jail with no trial if they Really want to. Bug your phone without a court order, etc.

You can thank the Bush administration for this.

 

Come on Hibbs, tell us how you REALLY feel...don't hold back.

runnert

 

I'd like to thank them.

If you are a threat to me or the nation, I want them to get you before you get me. I sleep alot better at night knowing that their hands aren't as tied as they were years ago. Its unfortunate, but we live in troubled times. If you have nothing to hide, then don't worry about it.

MR

 

Had this happen several times, and im only 20 years old.

3 sherriffs in 2 cars pulled me over late one night when i was in high school. One comes up and asks me to step out of the truck and in my stupidity, i tripped on the running board. Bad mistake. He grabbed me, hauled me up to the hood, and slammed me on the hood and cuffed me, then threw me in the car. I demanded a breathalizer the whole time and none would give it to me. They searched my truck, toolbox, and even looked under the hood to make sure i was "legal". Hell its a stock 4.6 Ford with loud exhaust, but they wouldnt hear me. Finally, they got me out, uncuffed me, and let me go, said not to ask any questions and to just leave, so i did.

I respect the law but not cops that are ****s

 

So I guess we would thank, who Clinton for the airplanes flying into buildings on nice sunny days?

 

Green_98,

If that has happened several times then I would recommend getting rid of them running boards…

I hear you about some cops being chit heads and there is no need of it. It is up to the good cops to weed out the bad ones but unfortunately they let them slide and give the rest of them a bad name at times…

 

To answer your question about your specific situation would require more information than you have provided. But the basic answer is an officer has to have probable cause to do a traffic stop.

BHibbs-- The Supreme Court has never effectively ruled on the use of electronic surveillance (Congress beat them to the punch). With that said a wire tap does not really need to be placed on a line to receive information from that phone. There are other more intrusive forms of technology that would easily get around the current laws. The only thing that limits the use is the cost of the technology and the restraint of the law enforcement community. So the assertion that Mr Bush has lessen the constitutional rights to privacy by allowing the use of wire taps is irrelevant.

 

Yea, You're probably right....

 

no you numskull, i havnt tripped over my running boards several times ive had run-ins with ignorant cops many times...

The cop here in Warrensburg that arrested me said that I had REALLY messed up when i crossed the line with him and that i was going to see a 1000-2000 dollar penalty for my mistake. Well i got off the phone with my lawyer who i had consulted with a couple times, and he said that the ticket can be dropped and all i have to pay is $24.50 for court cost + $60-100 for him to get it off my record and appear in court for me.
I guess that cop was right

 

Plain and simple.... NO



However, as stated before, when motor vehicles are involved, there are tons of excuses!

- following to closely
- speeding
- tail lights
- erratic driving
- improper signaling during a turn
- etc., etc., etc.

Likely, as also stated before, that your vehicle matched the description of someone they were looking for.

 

Wow. So what you're saying is that before January of 2001 a police officer has never pulled someone over unwarranted? Geesh. I never would've guessed!

Sorry, but the officer did nothing against the law or the constitution. He did not search your vehicle without your consent. I'm sure you were driving a vehicle that matched the description of a known drug dealer. After they ran your plate and VIN they let you go.

 

Sounds like he was on DUI detail and instead of having a reason to pull you he guessed based on your age.They do it all the time where I live!