Being pulled over by police can be a stressful experience. You can be especially frustrated and nervous when you don’t think the police have a reason to pull you over in the first place.
In this situation, it’s crucial to understand the lawful (and unlawful) reasons police may stop drivers and what your rights are when interacting with officers.
When police can stop your car
Police officers need a legal reason to pull you over. They can’t just stop you because they feel like it. The law requires them to have either:
- Reasonable suspicion is when an officer has a good reason to believe you might be breaking the law.
- Probable cause is when an officer has facts that would lead a reasonable person to believe you committed an offense.
Officers must follow these rules. That said, police can stop people for a host of reasons, including some that are incredibly minor. Common reasons police use to justify traffic stops include:
- Speeding or driving too slowly
- Broken tail lights or headlights
- Expired license plates
- Erratic driving patterns
- Failure to use turn signals
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Tinted windows that appear too dark
These traffic violations give officers a legal reason to initiate a stop, which is sometimes all it takes for them to pursue serious changes. Knowing these common reasons helps you understand why you might be pulled over and how to avoid unwanted attention.
When a stop crosses the line
What starts as a simple traffic stop can quickly turn into more serious charges, such as DUI or drug possession. Because of this, closely examining how the officer conducted the stop becomes an essential part of any defense.
An “improper stop” means the officer might have made a mistake or overstepped their authority. This could occur if the officer:
- Lacked reasonable suspicion to pull you over.
- Detained you for an unreasonable length of time beyond addressing the initial reason for the stop, without new justification.
- Illegally searched your vehicle.
- Based the decision to stop you on illegal bias.
If you believe a recent traffic stop is improper, document everything you remember about the interaction. This information could help your defense attorney challenge the legality of the stop and potentially get charges dismissed.