is it legal for a cop to pull you over without blue lighting you?
106636
Well, the question about blue lights tells me you're not in California.  If you had said what state you are in, someone might have been able to give you a better answer (maybe your state requires law enforcement to use their emergency lights to pull you over....but I doubt it very much).\n\nThat said, not using his lights on you was a very clever tactic that experienced police officers use.  Without the lights, there is probably no issue as to detention (meaning he didn't even need a reason to stop you, because you stopped yourself and he just walked up and began talking to you).  Police officers, just like everyone else in the country, have the right to walk up to someone and just start talking to them - and if the person stands there and engages in conversation, it's all good and anything that comes from it is just as constitutionally sound as if the officer had probable cause to make the stop in the first place.  \n\nHowever, if the officer pulled in behind you and blocked your ability to leave - even if you didn't try or want to - then it very likely will be considered a detention by the courts, and will require the appropriate constitutional factors to justify the detention.  You said the officer arranged for another cop car to block your way, so that would likely be considered a detention by the courts.  However, the officer is claiming you were speeding, so assuming he can prove that to the court's satisfaction, he could have called in a hundred cars to block you in and it wouldn't matter...blue lights or no.
548242
You didn't say what state you're in, and that makes a huge difference.  Your question is (evidently) a little unclear for some folks, too...so let's see if we can clarify at least that part of it:\n\nIt looks to me like what you're asking is if the police can stop you for a traffic violation committed on private property.  As an example, maybe you're wanting to know if you can be stopped at the local hotel for not stopping at a stop sign erected by the hotel on their property, having a headlight out, or driving five miles an hour faster than what the hotel's signs say you should.\n\nIn California, the answer is generally no.  The California Vehicle Code generally does not apply to private property, though there are some notable exceptions (DUI, reckless driving, etc).  The examples I cited above are not illegal in California.\n\nIf I've got that wrong...and what you want to know is if you can be stopped on private property for a violation you committed on public property...the answer in California, and I'd bet in every state in the union, is yes.\n\nBut really, if you want a reliable answer you need to explain what state you're in, and if you're talking about a specific violation, you need to talk about that too.  There are just too many variables that can apply without any additional information.
565082
No. As long as the officer is on an emergency run and following the states laws on using emergency equipment. Some states require both lights and sirens, others require only lights. In most states the driver that fails to yeild to an emergency vehicle, whether Police, Fire or Ambulance would get a ticket, if not a trip to the local jail.
1147952
your lucky you didnt wind up in JAIL!!!  You drivers license must have been clear because Im sure the officer that pulled you over ran your I.D. through everything he had at his disposal.  The way it sounds Im thinking the officer had a drunk driver on his hands for sure!!  all over the road is the fastest way to get pulled over that I know of.. it even works at the speed limit!! depending on what state you live in... expect a 300 to 500 dollar fine if you dont have insurance... and remind me NEVER to let you drive MY car!!!\n\nremember the next set of headlights comming at you the way you described here.. could be a drunk driver... \n\ncareful never hurt anyone..\nluck RUNS OUT!
286147
Cops don't lie. Don't be rediculous!\n\nRead the article below for more information.
189191
There are alot of laws that give a police officer the power to arrest you. Those laws are mainly there for peolple that get out of control. It is up to the officer to decide if ones actions warrant arrest depending on the situation and that persons attitude. I was lighting fireworks with my kids the day after 4th of july because their cousins missed my fireworks show the night of the 4th. The police showed up, wanted to know why I was lighting fireworks and asked me to stop. Fireworks (at leat the ones I was shooting off) was illegal. I could have been arrested without them asking me for a explanation and certainly been arrested had I not complied.
720779
Actually when I worked for the police dept, it was against police policy to give a "jump" from the police car.  It can seriously damage the electronics in the police car ( 1000's of dollars worth)\n\nAn officer giving a jump to someone could be wrote up, given a day off without pay or more.\n\nThe police officer will call you a tow truck, or other road service,  they will often call someone else that you want called.
917487
a cop can pull you over for anything... they can say your left back tire looks like it has less air than the others... but to search it, they can only do if your kids gives them permission or they have a warrant
454483
I got pulled over for not using my turn signal.
1074006
Yes...just give some sort of signal that you know the police are behind you.  Turn on your hazards and slow down.  Keep driving until you are in a lit area or parking lot.  A good officer will know what you are doing.
802337
In the states (Nevada), a police vehicle is recognized as an emergency vehicle regardless if the lights & siren are on or not. The reason is that a police vehicle approaching a crime scene may need to approach without broadcasting his presence, yet may still speed. For fire & ambulance, the lights and sirens must be activated for the vehicle to have an emergency status.
497919
It's still considered a "right-of-way" violation. The driver with the legal "right-of-way" is the one with the green light, whether he's an idiot or not. Up here in New England (and I'm sure everywhere else), we have a lot of drivers that go for miles with their blinker on. I wait until they have actually started making the turn to go, because once they start turning, they lose the "right-of-way" on the street they were on.
467203
The law on this topic is very, very complicated but the key fact is that the police are allowed to use "reasonable deception" in the course of an investigation, provided that the police do not encourage the suspect or person under surveillance to do anything that he or she was not already going to do. For example, it's totally OK for the police to pose as drug dealers and allow potential customers to approach them and buy drugs, and use that act as evidence against them, but it is not OK for the police to SOLICIT the buyers. So in the case of the "are you wearing a wire" question, it is totally OK for the cop to lie and say "no" because that falls under "reasonable deception."\n\nAs for signing a contract stating that you are not a cop, or not wearing a wire, any contract made in preparation for or during an illegal act is null and void. If you hire a hit man to kill your wife and he takes your money but doesn't kill her, you can't sue him...
354394
Okay, your plate light was out. What brought on the search and siezure? What was the probable cause to search? Did he smell marijuana emanating from the pipe? If the cop had no indication that you were intoxicated and just pulled you over for a lite out with no other indication for a search then you are being played. The officer should have notified you of said search and the reasons why. What state did this happen in?!
1176978
You are correct in your statement about when you're pulled over by any law enforcement officer.  However, if they suspect that you have something illegal in your vehicle or on your person, they DO have the obligation to ask you about it (it's called probable cause).  While you probably don't WANT to get into trouble, it's wiser to come clean than to lie.  Lying can only make matters worse.
502496
No, that's unethical and illegal, and not correct law enforcement practice.  Take it up with a superior at your local police station and make them pay for it.  This is why I don't think much of cops...they always seem to want to abuse their power...
210986
Not sure, but I know that blue underbody lights are illegal here in IN.