After following me for about 5 miles he pulls me over and asks for my license and registration, which I give to him. He looks my car over; everything is current like the inspection sticker, registration, etc. Next the cop asks me for my consent to search my car. I reply that not only did he not have probable cause to pull me over in the first place, but he also has no probable cause to search my car and therefore, no, I do not consent to a search. Cop calls his supervisor who asks me how I'm doing. Fine, I reply, and I ask why I'm pulled over. He goes over to the first cop who'd stopped me, got my lisence and registration from him, giving 'em back to me and saying "have a nice night". I leave, am followed to county line. Any idea what causes this to happen? I do drive an older car (1985 thunderbird). Was it a good idea to not give consent to a search? I don't use and drugs at all, nor do I drink, so I had no acid, no weed, no beer. Thanks for your thoughts on this.
2007-04-09 16:33:25 · 12 answers · asked by rollieskreetie 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Without knowing what the officer was thinking, it is hard to say why he pulled you over. Something about you, your car, the location, time, etc. prompted some suspicious thought.
He followed you waiting for you to commit some traffic infraction that would allow a more proper stop. He finally pulled you over, probably because he was close to running out of his jurisdiction.
You refused to allow a search of your car. That is your constitutional right. Him calling his supervisor was just a delay tactic and he probably ticked off the supervisor for wasting his time. Which is why the Sup. gave you the stuff back with a "have a nice night" remark.
Following you is just something the cop was going to do just to aggravate you.
2007-04-09 18:18:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The officer only needs reasonable suspicion to pull you over, not probable cause. There is a huge difference between the two.
If he had PC he would not have had to ask for consent to search, he could have done it anyway. Lacking PC, he had to ask for consent, which you lawfully denied.
He probably had a question for his supervisor regarding your stop. The supervisor probably realized that the officer had nothing more to go on so they turned you loose.
I will tell you this: most officers don't consider searching unless they really suspect something.
2007-04-10 01:40:16 · answer #2 · answered by Hootiesplace 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what state and county this happened in. It could have been in an area where they have high drug or illegal immigration issues. Your car or you may have fit a profile and description of somthing they were on a lookout for. AND when you refused the search, by law he has to call his supervisor and they by law can still conduct the search if the supervisor believes there is good cause for the search.
2007-04-09 18:33:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a very good question. If you cannot identify the driver as a police officer drive well below the speed limit into a public, well lit place and pull over, or call 911 and ask if any officers are pulling someone at that time, or attempt to attract the attention of a uniformed officer, or drive to the nearest police station. Calling 911 generally will be the most realistic option. Good luck and hope that never happens to you!
2016-05-21 04:08:14 · answer #4 · answered by jerry 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cops love to initimidate people into giving up their constitutional rights. You should have also asked him for HIS identification since he was in an unmarked vehicle. He is required by law to show you his ID card to prove he is a policeman. If he refuses you can take him to court later.
You are correct that if he has no probable cause he can't search your car, which is why he asked you. You are not required to give him permission.
They play mind games, and rely on the public's lack of education concerning their rights as a citizen.
2007-04-09 19:33:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You were within your rights not to consent to a search. I have no idea why this happened. You don't need to give cops a lecture on the fourth amendment; serenity and politeness is probably the best tack.
2007-04-09 16:53:09 · answer #6 · answered by Irene F 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like you handled yourself. Pulling you over could have been anything from racial profiling (don't know your racial characteristics so felt it should be brought up), to the cop being bored. I was pulled over once in my youth (I was 19) just because the cop wanted to ask me out.
Believe it or not cops are people too. He may have just made a mistake. You may never know, but as long as you were not doing anything illegal or ill-advised I wouldn't worry too much unless it became a pattern.
2007-04-09 16:49:21 · answer #7 · answered by songbird092962 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The police officer was doing his job. By not allowing him to search your vehicle, you raised his suspicion, thinking that you may have something to hide. They also may have been looking for a car that matched your description. Either way, its really nothing to worry about.
2007-04-09 16:38:21 · answer #8 · answered by Captain Moe 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What did you have to hide??? They gave you achance to clear yourself.
Perhaps a crime was committed somewhere else and they too, were driving a 1985 T bird? Yes, you have rights, but the police have a job to do. If it costs you nothing, give it to them.
2007-04-09 16:40:17 · answer #9 · answered by TedEx 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well why didnt you prove them worng and let them look since you got nothing to hide.
Hes got nothing to do so he followed you to make sure. He can do that. If theres probale cause he should of arrested you, most of the time they do arrest you.
2007-04-09 17:16:06 · answer #10 · answered by Vultren.com 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋