Can a police officer pull you over for no reason?

Can a police officer pull you over for no reason? What are my legal rights?

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Answered By: Cynthia Henley, Lawyer

Nope - officer has to have some reason to pull you over. My guess is that if you were pulled over, the officer will at least make up a reason for stopping you to put in the offense report. That's how it works. Your legal rights? Regarding what? You have many.

Answer Applies to: Texas
Replied: 10/23/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Mark Thiessen, Attorney at Law

No they can't. It either has to be a traffic violation or for community caretaking. But be careful, officers usually lie and make up reasons to pull you over after the fact. If you have been wrongfully accused, then hire a lawyer and fight it with everything you got.

Answer Applies to: Texas
Replied: 10/20/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: D T Pham Associates, PLLC

There's always a reason even though it may not be obvious to you. Hire a lawyer to protect your rights .

Answer Applies to: Texas
Replied: 10/20/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Sifuentes & Locke

To stop a vehicle a police officer needs reasonable suspicion that a crime has occurred and that the occupants of the vehicle are involved. A police officer can come over and speak with anyone The crime does not have to be the same crime for which the party is eventually arrested (you can get pulled over for a traffic violation when the officer thinks you have drugs and is using the traffic violation as an excuse). If you are stopped for no reason, if you were arrested without probable cause, or if your detention exceeded the reason for your stop,the State may not be able to use the evidence they have against you. Your lawyer can argue that your Constitutional rights were violated by filing various pre-trial motions.

Answer Applies to: Texas
Replied: 10/20/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Offices of Kenneth Wincorn P.C.

No he is not supposed to. If there are criminal charges that resulted the case may be dismissed because of the improper acts of the officer.

Answer Applies to: Texas
Replied: 10/19/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.