Pulled Over & Discriminated
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From: San Jose
Originally posted by itsjustme
Actually, it is absolutely NOT legal for an officer to pull someone over on a complete whim. It is not legal in NY and it is not legal anywhere in the US. It is an absolutely violation of the Constiution. The officer MUST have a reasonable suspicion to stop you and probable cause to detain you further. Additionally, you are never required to consent to a search of your vehicle for any reasons unless the police have a warrant (the exception to this being an area within the reach of the driver-- this is a Supreme Court carved exception that is designed to protect the officer during a traffic stop).
Now, whether you can prove that the officer didn't have reasonable suspicion and later, probable cause is another matter entirely. The reality is that this sort of thing happens all the time. But realize that it is utterly illegal and abhorent to the constitution and that if you are so inclined, you absolutely have grounds to sue. Is it worth it in every case? No. But don't go around thinking that the cops are jack booted thugs who can do as they please.
And now back to your regularly scheduled programming (Getting of my soapbox)
And if you couldn't tell, I am actually an attorney with some experience in these matters.
Originally posted by TimStevens
Oh, forgot to mention, my mother was sitting in the seat next to me, so I hope I didn't look to suspicious (-: And, I'm white, so I don't ethnicity had anything to do with it.
Also, it's perfectly legal in NY law for an officer to pull someone over on a complete whim. I'm sure other states are similar.
-tim
Oh, forgot to mention, my mother was sitting in the seat next to me, so I hope I didn't look to suspicious (-: And, I'm white, so I don't ethnicity had anything to do with it.
Also, it's perfectly legal in NY law for an officer to pull someone over on a complete whim. I'm sure other states are similar.
-tim
Now, whether you can prove that the officer didn't have reasonable suspicion and later, probable cause is another matter entirely. The reality is that this sort of thing happens all the time. But realize that it is utterly illegal and abhorent to the constitution and that if you are so inclined, you absolutely have grounds to sue. Is it worth it in every case? No. But don't go around thinking that the cops are jack booted thugs who can do as they please.
And now back to your regularly scheduled programming (Getting of my soapbox)
And if you couldn't tell, I am actually an attorney with some experience in these matters.
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From: Erehwon
On some roads in some areas of the country, everyone exceeds the speed limit and the posted limit is selectively enforced. What this means, is that the police can stop anyone that they think is suspicious and then say that the reason for the stop was speeding. This gives them the opportunity to check out the driver and their car up close. At that point, the officer may apologize for the inconvenience and let the driver go or they may decide to give the driver a summons (or worse).
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From: Oklahoma City, OK
I was driving my stook to a play tonight. As I'm pulling in my neighborhood (like 10:30) my street is a quick left and my house is 2 houses down on the left. As I'm pulling in my driveway a cop has his lights on and is right behind me in my driveway. I get out and 2 cops come up to me and ask me what I thought they "pulled me over" for...I said I had no idea. I didn't. And then one says I failed to signal turning left into my housing edition. I usually do but it was late and no one on roads anyways so I was like, "Well, there is no one around." They started looking at my car and stuff and then they were like, "Well, be sure an use it, blah blah." REALLY random, because I've never seen police near my neighborhood or the road that takes you to it and as I look out my window once I get inside there are 2 cop cars sitting there I guess talking and running a check on my car for like 5 minutes. I guess they just wanted to look at my pretty Honda which they have probably not seen before. 
Although it was my fault, do cops usually pull you over for not turning on blinkers??? I've never been pulled over for that. Oh well. But I really dislike being scared like that! 
Although it was my fault, do cops usually pull you over for not turning on blinkers??? I've never been pulled over for that. Oh well. But I really dislike being scared like that!
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From: Bedford
Time for a little levity here. A black family moved into a predominantly white, upper middle class neighborhood. One day the new owner was out mowing his lawn when another neighbor happened by, not realizing this was his new neighbor. When he inquired as to what the man got for mowing a lawn, the black neighbor thought a moment, smiled and replied, "I get to sleep with the lady of the house!" Talk about your profiling.
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From: San Jose
Originally posted by Jay Li
S2K Fan, just wondering...how old are you?
S2K Fan, just wondering...how old are you?