Do police officers need a reason to pull you over?

CGIV76

Sometimes driving too careful can be a reason for a stop. Everyone swerves a little, or exceeds the limit by a few miles an hour. You were probably trying to be the perfect driver. You're young, and it is late at night, or early morning. That alone would draw suspicion.

halsca

Years back I had to go to traffic school. The instructor was a highway patrol officer. He was asked that question. The man replied something along the lines of they're 500 different reasons I can pull you over. So I took it pretty much as they can do what they want to do.

The term "questionably" sounds pretty generic to me. They might have thought you were younger than you really are and wanted to be sure you really had a license.

"LC" KNOWEN AS AIRFORC

police do need a reason to pull u over. it could be the they thought that you were tipsy because you were acting goofy. i do know here in ca in the highwaypatrol we have to have a reason to pull someone over.

mikeysco

The standard for making a traffic stop in the United States is reasonable suspicion, not probable cause.

If an officer can articulate reasonable suspicion that some kind of crime is afoot, he/she can make a traffic stop.

Driving "questionably" is arguably not reasonable suspicion, but it really depends on what the officer can articulate.

*****

Reasonable cause for a traffic stop is left to THEIR discretion, so they have practically free rein to dream up anything they want, if it is their desire to stop you on the road.

California Street Cop

An officer requires probable cause that you have violated a crime or infraction of some type before they can pull you over.

Mike

Some things never change. When I was in high school back in the 1960's I had to work full time at night, from 5PM to 1AM Monday through Friday to get money for college, because my family had no money for college and I was absolutely determined to go.

Yes, on my way home I was pulled over frequently. The question that I was always asked is what am I doing out so late on a school night?

Yes the police do pull you over late at night and early in the morning if you look young because they do not think that you have any legitimate reason for being out late.

Many areas do have curfews. In the area where I grew up there was a curfew for young people under 18. However the exception to that curfew was if you were going to or coming home from work.

In most cases I suspect that I was pulled over for a suspected curfew violation. However since I was going home from work I was not in violation of the local curfew law.

In my experience when I explained why I had to work so late the police accepted my explanation and did not give me a ticket.

But yes I agree that young people out late do get pulled over because they look young. Most police officers do not expect a young person to have to work late at night.

Generally the police were quite reasonable when they heard my explanation, though.

teniakay

They dont have to have a reason. If they need one its unsualy suspensal doubt. or did you hit some road divder bumps. that will do it every time. Are you driving out of your county they can tell. Hope this helps.....

james b

your lucky that your 16, they pulled you over looking for a date
The next one that pulls you over may not care your 16.
Be carefull.
Cheers

Strawberries are the best!!

As long as they have probable cause to pull you over, they will.

Scott B

If they keep thinking you are drunk, maybe you are just a bad driver. There are tons of you out there. If you keep weaving, they think you are drunk, wholla, you get pulled over. Learn to drive in a straight line, it may help.

chill out

Ask them next time why they stopped you? It is a legitimate question. Just be polite about it. I always tell a person that I stop why I pulled them over. You stated they said you were driving questionably. Ask them what you did to be considered questionably driving.

Artman

At 16 you are a minor so yes they can stop you. They need a probable cause to stop drivers, and checking that you are 16 and not 14 or less it's a pretty valid reason to stop you. And yes, looking "tipsy" it's another valid reason to stop you too.

Besides I have never seen a16 year old being a good driver; I'm sure you over rate you own skills as a driver and drinker, that's why many kids die and kill inocent families on the road.

At 16 you shoud be at home early and not parting around asking to be raped by a carjacker or killed on a car crash with a drunken driver.

kleighs mommy

your under age and out after your cites curfew more than likely. there is nothing good for a teenager after dark go home earlier

badbill1941

They generally pull you over because of something you did, or there is something questionable about your driving, or you vehicle.

Get a Life

The police can do anything they want. They pull young girls over trying to get lucky. You should be glad you made it home after being stopped by a cop and you were alone. Make a report at the station about being stopped for no reason. Try not to drive by any donut places late at night. Evidently there's some terrible crimes taking place at the donut shops. There always filled with police.

Becky J

Are you black or hispanic? That's usally who they pull over. I've been told this by more than one cop.

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