Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuna
Just wondering cause this happened to me and I thought it was complete bull****. The guy pulled me over, bitched at me for not pulling over quicker, and then started interrogating me, asking me questions like if I had knives, guns, or drugs on me. When I answered no, he started asking if I was sure and what's in the glove compartment and my bag, etc. etc. Bear in mind that I have never been arrested or even cited or anything. Clean as a whistle record. He sees this when he scans my license and stuff, yet calls for backup AND does a thorough search of me and my car.
This ****ing normal? Next time I'm making sure they don't search me without probable cause.
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Well, your state has a pretty explicit "stop & identify" law in which you're required to give identifying information and such, but that's predicated on there being a valid reason for you being stopped or detained.
In your case, since there was none, you probably didn't legally have to answer any questions and just could have asked if there was a reason for you being stopped and, if not, were you free to go.
Most people probably don't want to test things like that and end up consenting to largely unfounded stops and interrogations. They'll even consent to searches, like you did, because that option probably seems more appealing than going head to head with a pissed off cop.
But yea, at the very least, you could have just said no to the search. If there wasn't any probable cause, he damn well would not have been able to obtain a warrent and you'd have been on your way.
One trick they like to use is, when you decline a search, they call for backup with a K-9 unit and let the dog out to sniff around the vehicle, which doesn't classify as a search. When the dog gets interested in something in the vehicle, they now have probable cause to search it for drugs (and anything else they find during the process).
But still, being temporarily detained to the point where you're sitting there long enough for a backup unit to arrive, having had to show your identification and answer questions, you had to have been detained based on some infraction.
The fact that there wasn't one, or that the officer didn't notify you of one, doesn't mean he was breaking any laws...
It just means you basically sat there out of the kindness of your heart because you're interested in chatting with police and having them rummage through your belongings. Had you wanted to leave, you probably could have.
Edit:
Just saw your response about the front license plate. If that's a valid state thing where you are, then sure, he had reason to pull you over. (although he probably should have stated that reason first, or you should have asked, but it was obviously a cover for the fact that he, in fact, does not have X-ray vision) Not for the search though. That was all you, buddy. 