Can the police pull me over for no apparent reason?

Question

I was pulled over by herts police they drove past me, turned round followed for a mile then put the the lights on. i pulled over gave them all my documents he took them to the police car came back ad said its all ok. i said why did i get pulled he said stop check. i have Recently been in trouble with the police but not for driving offences any input would be great

Answer 1

The telling bit of your question is that you have recently been in trouble....you don't say what for, nor should you, but the Police have computers that match criminals cars to reg. nos which instantly show up when a Police car fitted with number plate recognition system passes you, if that's the case, get rid of the car, or carry your docs with you...shouldn't be a bad boy.....

Answer 2

Almost everyone allows themselves to feel surprised when a cop pulls them over. If the officer didn't tell you why then shame on him/her. It is good practice to inform. As to can they pull you over of course they can. You are driving. Driving a car in the US is a privilege, not a right. The courts have ruled that a check can be made for virtually anything. No, probable cause is not needed for a pull over, it is needed for an arrest. Reasonable suspicion is needed for further in depth questioning but checking driver's license etc. doesn't even need that. A pedestrian can legally walk away from an officer once they id themselves but a driver cannot.
Most people bring up how long it took to pull them over. The cop is checking things out, for example license tags, via computer and radio. They are also waiting to get in on the radio to tell the dispatcher that they are making a stop and where about they are.

Answer 3

As far as the law is concerned the cops pulling you over have to give you a reason for doing so. Any kind of 'check' is not an acceptable reason. The problem is that the public has given the police so much elbow room that they think they have the right to do what they want. Few have challenged them in court. That is where the publics rights are validated. It is ironic that with all the talk of rights and freedoms, the public, who should know what they are, are the most ignorant on the subject.

Answer 4

Depends. If there is absolutely nothing going on and everything you are doing is legal and all of your equipment is working. Then the police can't stop you. There are a few exceptions though.

Firstly, if you were doing anything suspicious. Such as driving slowly around a neighborhood, looking staring hard at houses, circling around, ect. You could just be lost, or you could be casing the police. If you do that long enough, the police have grounds to conduct an investigative stop. Just to make sure everything is on the up and up. As long as the officer has enough to clearly state why he thinks you were acting strangely.

If there was information released about suspect information. For example, if a robbery happened near by and the suspect was driving a newer model red Ford 4 door. And that is what you are driving, it is perfectly legal to stop you and check everything out.

Your registration in the computer might have came back out of file or to a different vehicle.

You may have an equipment violation or commited a minor traffic offense that he failed to mention.

Answer 5

once you are known by the police they will pull you over following you brought up your name they do a check while following you if you have a conviction they will stop you being punished for a crime is just the start you will be marked for years so technically break the law and you are marked and it is easy pickings for them the police force is a joke they cant even control youths today every thing is cocked up we need a shake up of the system get rid of the jumped up Little sods on a power trip and install real policemen who have common sense and don't hid behind the uniform Dave

Answer 6

yes they can,what may be of no apparent reason to you may be an apparent one to them,,Some years ago a friend of mine was driving me back from Coventry when we were pulled over for what appeared to be of no apparent reason but it was we were in a clapped out banger doing about 75mph on the motorway.
The police have the right to stop check any motorist they wish and ask for drivers license tax and sometimes insurance documents,so many stolen cars on the road these days they have to do this, They can also stop you for a slightly erratic driving style , they may suspect drink or drugs.. You just have live with it, better they catch the offenders by chance than not at all

Answer 7

Yes, police officers can pull you over for no APPARENT reason. Just because you yourself are not aware of the reason, does not mean one did not exist. Police randomly stop cars to check for compliance with motor vehicle regulations (seatbelts, inspection stickers, ect.) or perhaps your car is similiar in description to a vehicle used in commision of an unresolved crime. Based on the little information you provided I would guess you or your vehicle matched the description of someone they were actively searching for. The important thing is the officer seemed to find nothing wrong and released you immediately with no ticket. Congratulations on being a safe driver!

Answer 8

Perhaps you driving wasnt as good as you think and they pulled you over for it, like they say nothing makes you more nervous than a police officer following you.

They do have rights to stop you, after all are you going to argue with them, I think not.

Perhaps they were looking for the make of car that you were driving, and after checking you out realised it wasn't you. If you have nothing to hid you have nothing to worry about.

Answer 9

They can't pull you over for no reason whatsoever. They do only need "reasonable suspicion" to pull you over. Which is a very low standard and easy to articulate.

I don't know what a "stop check" is though so I can't comment on whatever that is.

Answer 10

It is amazing to see questions like this. If your car was stolen, your hope would be that the Police would find it for you so don't complain when you are stopped.
Often the reason people are 'stop checked' is because their appearance does not fit the car they are driving, if you get my drift.