Is it legal for officers/state patrol park with lights off at night to catch speeders?

Question

i heard it was illegal something about entrapment.

Answer 1

If the Officer was driving around in his vehicle it would be illegal. The officer is subject to the same laws as we are not to mention that this is dangerous for anyone else on the road. However if he is parked offside the road of course he can have his lights off while radaring people.
It is not entrapment the Officers lights off is not forcing you to speed. I'm sure if he had is headlights on and was offside the road alot of people would still speed by.

Answer 2

That is not typically entrapment. Entrapment is a legal term generally used to indicate that a law enforcement officer has tried to entice a person to break the law.

What you are talking about is a potential speed trap, but usually that also entails one of a number of less than respectable techniques, like parking at a point where there is a sharp drop in the speed limit and clocking the speeder before they've had a chance to slow down.

Most municipalities would consider parking in the dark a valid method to catch speeders.

Answer 3

If you are speeding, (I am assuming you do) whether he is sitting with his lights off in a golf cart, a bicycle, or a cruiser, you are just as busted.
I just can't see what difference it makes to someone who is staying within the law.
Man, if the sign says 35, they mean 35, not 55.
There is some reason they post speed limit signs and enforce it. It has been determined that the posted speed is the maximum safe speed for that particular section of road.
If you choose to ignore the sign and drive the speed you choose, you might sneak it past a few times, but the odds are, they will get you.
Personally, I don't have a problem with those guys sitting in the dark waiting. I find it just doesn't matter to me if he is in plain sight or out of sight.

Answer 4

I believe it is legal. I heard somewhere that officers/state patrol have the right to catch speeders, whether their lights are on or off. Of course, it depends on which state you live in.

Answer 5

In our state they can park with out their lights on as long as they are not completely hidden by a building or trees or something of that nature. They usually park within plain view because their insignia is light reflective it is legal.

I have seen them park an unmanned car in the medium of the highway for days or weeks. the drivers get used to it and start speeding by it daily, and then they put an officer in it. That's when everyone gets a ticket. But then again, if no one was speeding, no one would get caught.

Answer 6

I have heard that it was illegal not for entrapment (entrapment is when you are forced to do something illegal, his headlights on or off isn't going to force you to speed), but for safety reasons. Someone might run into them or something. Having said that, I still see them do it all the time.

Answer 7

It's up to the individual state, local, county, and city municipalities as far as what there individual law- enforcement department may or may not do! in some counties in Texas it is not only legal but condoned and encouraged by the departments! "i know this because i was caught speeding in tyler texas in just that manner and ask the tough question"!

Answer 8

Yes, it is legal. Why wouldn't it be?

Entrapment is one the most misunderstood legal principles.

Just don't speed!

Answer 9

Yes,they can.It is up to you to protect yourself from getting caught speeding.
(1) Stop speeding.
(2) Invest in a radar detector.
(3) Keep a witness with you.
They are just trying to save lives.
They also like to hang out across the street or down the block from bars waiting for drunk drivers.

Answer 10

It's not entrapment. They're not making you speed so they can catch you. They're sitting there catching those that are speeding of their own accord.