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What gives a cop the right to question me on a traffic stop without probable cause?

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i had been followed for a few blocks around a few turns ect. eventually i was pulled over . when i handed my reg. and license he told me that he pulled me over for a crack in my windshield. then he proceeded with are there any drugs in the car, any weapons, no marijuana? nobodies on 4th waver no probation no parole never been arrested? if i haven't made any actions to constitute the questions then why can't it be left at the cracked windshield. because my heads shaved and i got tattoos

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  1. They "use" things like cracked windshields to give themselves the right to pull you over when they suspect other things.


  2. It called police discretion, your head being shaved and having tatoos maybe typical warning signs for cops and yes maybe he judged you. But why don't you stump the stereotype of skinheads. Most cops who pull you over do what they call the personality test. If you got a ticket you failed that test.

      

  3. They have the right. Trust me, they can ask you anything they want. Whether or not you respond is up to you.

  4. They have the right to.

    Check this out. I am driving at the posted speed limit of 45mph. Maybe 2 mph above that. I have an SUV tailgating me about half a car length off my pumper. There are 3 other vehicles behind the SUV. And a cop in a cruiser at the end of this line of traffic flow. The cruiser turns on his blue lights everyone is pulling aside to let him through and I got pulled over because the SUV was tailgating. Yes, read it again. I was pulled over because the SUV was tailgating me. In most states the SUV would have been pulled over and the driver given a citation. I was asked several questions and let go. No citation, but late for work none the less. Yes they can pull you over even if someone else is in violation.

  5. The Supreme Court gave them the right.

  6. How is he supposed to prove probable cause unless he asks you a few questions?

    Be polite and give him what he wants.

    If you are clean and come up with honest, no-nonsense answers, he will let you go without tearing your car apart.

  7. Cops can ask questions on a traffic stop.  You don't have to respond, but the questions he asked are typical at most traffic stops.  You are trying to make this into a profiling type thing and that's not the case.  He had probable cause to pull you over.  Get over it.  He didn't do anything wrong.  Some people actually end up saying "yes, I have marijuana in my glovebox".  There's probable cause to go ahead and search the car, etc.

  8. He doesn't have the right.  He has the authority.  Big difference.

    You have the right to not answer.

  9. after the patriot act pal.. you have no rights.. except they cant quarter troops in your house outside time of war.

    get used to it..

    the new world order is here

  10. He can ask you ANYTHING he wants,  

    I see a lifetime of conflicts and arrests for you in the future not becasue you shave your head or have tatoos but because your attitude really sucks

  11. cops will be cops...get used to it

  12. I get those questions all the time (I have dreads), the reason they do that is because some people get nervous, think that the cop knows something, and then is stupid enough to give up their stash. It's something that people, unique in appearance, will always have to deal with. Just be glad they didn't make you sit there, and wait for the drug dog to show up.

  13. The fact you didn't finish your story with how they yanked you out of the car and stepped on your neck and beat the living p**s out of you then drove away, means you did fairly well...  

    I'd sit down and write a thank you note to the local precinct for their hospitality.  


  14. They have the right to pull you over...they have the right to ask questions...you have the right to remain silent....and based on your response here I guess you had something to hide...so use your right to keep your mouth shut.....

  15. im sorry to say this but you probably got pulled over for your tattoos. i know i think it is wrong too. if they think some one is threat or could have drugs they will not hesitate to pull you over. these cops are the type of cops that are jerks. i know a cop and he says that if he has to take the time to pull you over he will give you a ticket for something and not for no reason at all.  

  16. He did have probable cause ...he stopped you for a cracked windshielf which is an unsafe vehicle...the vehicle can be towed for this.  

  17. Those are pretty much standard questions. They can ask whatever they want on a traffic stop regarding what is or is not in the vehicle.

    You can always invoke your right to be silent, although that could cause suspicion that leads to a search.  

  18. You can either answer the questions or take the 5th.  The best thing to do is answer the questions very politely.  If you feel you're being violated, call your lawyer.
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