can a cop stop and search me for no reason?

Question

ive been stoped and searched by cops twice for graffiti and neither of the times i had anything on me, and since after that they did bust me for graffiti and i havnt done it any where outside since, so if they see me walking somewere can they just search me

and stop being *******, if you not gonna give me a answer dont say anything

Answer 1

If you are saying that you actually have been caught before and that you have actually done graffiti before, then it sounds like you are a known offender.

So, when they are looking for someone in the area of a fresh graffiti crime and you are walking around, they have a reason (probable cause) to stop you.

Answer 2

you have the right to tell them no i don't want to be searched..

i am not changing my answer because i think it wrong that the cops can search for no reason..
my husband friend is a cop and he says,
Police officers currently record details when they stop and search someone, but these are not passed onto the person searched. And if a person is stopped without being searched, details may not be recorded at all.

Under the new guidelines, police would issue what the Home Office calls a "simple" form, explaining the reasons for the stop.

Answer 3

Search Me For

Answer 4

Cops can stop anyone they think looks suspicious anytime they want to. Since you are a known offender that automatically makes you suspicious. As for the being able to search you, I am not sure of the laws where you are...but I went on a ride along with the police in my city and we stopped people who were walking down the street seemingly doing nothing wrong and searched them. Keep in mind though we were in the part of town that the prostitutes and drug dealers are known to be.

Answer 5

Technically, a cop in general unless they have what they call "probably cause". Now that might be a little on the sneaky side for them to say they thought there was drug activity, or you were loitering or looked suspicious...and then in the event of trying to move you along they "saw bulges in your pockets" or something "in your jacket".
The law of Probably cause still applies, but if they have reasonable suspicion in the process of doing something else, they can use it as an excuse.
They might also have "probably cause" in their own mind if you have prior convictions and they know you and see you walking around area's that are prone for graffiti.

Answer 6

No. They have to have probable cause to search you. If you smell like paint, that is probable cause. If you are a known tagger and are walking in the area of a recent tagging, that may be sufficient probably cause.

Also, if they ask to search you and you give permission, then they can search you.

Answer 7

They cannot search you for no reason. However, if you are suspicious and they have probable cause to search, then they can. If the think your up to something then they will find a reason to stop you.

Answer 8

They can stop you at anytime and do whatever they want to do.....

Probable cause could mean they just saw a smurf run underneath your car (They are protected by Federal law I think.)...Or an empty Crispy Cream box in the back seat..........

Or they will do what they do best....Lie..

But consider the best of the situation...Your name isn't Rodney King!!!!! Because they all too often choose just to beat the sh*t out of someone they don't like!!!!!

Answer 9

They need to have a good reason to search you. If your not doing anything suspicious, they shouldn't even bother you. But I know cops can be assholes sometimes because they have a badge and a gun. They let the power go to their head.

Answer 10

Yes they can and hope you get popped for graffiti again. Since you didn't learn the first time.