QUESTION

Can a state trooper pull me over for no reason and search my vehicle?

Asked on Jun 01st, 2013 on Criminal Law - California
More details to this question:
I was on my way home in the early am. The other night and I had just pulled off the on ramp onto the highway when I saw the lights. I began to pull over when they pulled behind me and turned the lights off and right there didnโ€™t seem right. They approached my car as normally everyone does. I asked why I was pulled over. He told me that they were doing a routine search. They never asked me for my license or registration. As I became more aware of how awkward this stop was going, I looked for their name tags neither cops had one. I asked their names and refused to tell me. They never asked me to get out of my car they simply said to me this is a routine search get out and put your hands on the hood. After an hour or so tearing my car apart they decided they werenโ€™t going to find anything and let me go. I sat and waited for them to pull out so I could get the licence plate number but they didnโ€™t. After so long of that, I just wanted to get out of there so I pulled out. They immediately followed me. I drove below the speed limit in hopes again that they would pass and I could get their plate but they never passed me. I finally got to my exit and went home. A few things just didnโ€™t feel right about what had happened. Can they pull me over for no reason and tell me they are searching my car? Can they go without wearing their name tags? Donโ€™t they usually keep their lights on the entire time of the stop?
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3 ANSWERS

Michael J. Breczinski
This was illegal search. They need probable cause to search a vehicle.
Answered on Jun 06th, 2013 at 8:06 PM

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Personal Injury Attorney serving Midvale, UT at Arrow Legal Solutions Group, P.C.
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It sounds like everything they did was improper. But what are you going to do about it? You don't know who they are. I know this seems counterintuitive but you need to report this incident to the police request that it be investigated and you be informed whether or not these were police officers . Maybe you are scammed by civilians. Once you have the information you may be able to bring suit.
Answered on Jun 05th, 2013 at 9:54 AM

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Criminal Law Attorney serving Los Angeles, CA at Law Office of Edward J. Blum
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No. The police need a reasonable suspicion that you've committed a crime and need a reasonable suspicion that evidence of a crime is in the car before they search.
Answered on Jun 04th, 2013 at 10:40 PM

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