Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire bogus traffic stop

Me and a bud went fishing yesterday.When we use his boat I usually drive his truck towing his boat.We always check the trailer lights and did so this time before leaving the boatramp.Around 10:00 pm I was in the fast lane keeping up with traffic when I saw a cop coming up behind me with his lights on.The truck in front of me had been weaving really bad.Im sure he was drunk.I thought the cop was after him.I turned on my right blinker and move to the center lane.The cop moved over also.I said to my bud *#^& I think I am getting pulled over.I signaled again and went to the slow lane then to the shoulder.Yep......pulled over.First thing he says is the trailer lights were out.We both said at the same time but different words......the lights are working......we checked the 20 mins ago.He gets pissed and says....do you think I picked you out of the croud just to pull you over?The my bud opens his door and gets out.I thought the cop would yell for him to stay in but he lets him walk to the back of the trailer.I hear my bud say........the lights are working.The cop then tells me my bud might need help getting the lights to work and I should get out and help.I am thinking WTF?So I get out walk to the back and say........the lights are working.The cop says....your friend must have fixed it then.He never touched anything........THE LIGHTS WERE WORKING DAMN IT!!!!

He tells us to get back in the truck.About this time another cop pulls up.I am getting a little scared.Again we are thinking WTF?The cop talks to the other one and the one pulls away.The first cop comes to the truck with my license and my buds registrations.He never asked who's boat and trailer it is or asks my bud for his ID.Didnt ask if I had been drinking.....I guess it was obvious I wasnt.He let my bud get out of the truck without being asked ........I just think he made alot of mistakes.Plus he stopped us with no probable cause which I thought was illegal and against the my rights.

Should I just let this go?The thing is we cant prove the lights were working...but we know they were.I am pissed!!!!

o/u 5 pages on this one.....

I would let it go - if that was the biggest problem in my life - it would all be gravy.

I'll say it'll go 6 pages, easily.....

Hell, likely 3 pages before 6 tonight....

It might be something to piss and moan about with your buddies but I feel it isn't worth much more of your energies and time after you get the initial anger out of your system! Pick a good fight to win...this one ain't worth it!

Reasonable suspicion for stop, Probable cause for arrest.

Remember the words of the Clash, "Know your rights"

Didja get a ticket? Never said ya did.....

With your attitude REM77, the cop was justified in lighting you and your buddy up with a Taser!!


Sean and Teal....Now I'll take the over!!










REM&&...I was being a smartass! Sorry for your hassle bro'..Not a great way to begin a fun fishing trip with your buddy, but not worth an elevation in your BP either!!

Had a similar thing happen Friday before Memorial Day weekend. I was with my family driving back from Nashville at 9 a.m. on I-840 and the only car on the road. Tenn State Trooper pulls me over and says he clocked me at 85 mph. Only thing was, I had been driving with the cruise on dead set on 70 mph cause it was holiday weekend. Cop also never used his radar as I have an Escort 8500 which never even chirped.

I told the trooper that it was impossible that I was going 85 as I had the cruise on for 20 miles set at 70 mph. He goes back to his car with my license and registration then comes back and repeats that he clocked me at 85. I then reiterate that that is impossible. He starts getting indignant and saying he doesn't care what I have to say because he's not giving me a citation.
Didn't even give me a warning. Obviously he was fishing, for what I don't know, but I was livid for days and wanted to pursue this as it can't possibly be legal but my wife told me to drop it.

I could maybe expect this from some little podunk town cop but a State Trooper? This is the kind of shyt that makes people, that otherwise would respect law enforcement, question if they should be trusted.

Ever think the cop was fishing, too?

Hmmmmm.... boat, trailer, truck, two guys.... I wonder if they've had a couple while on the water today?

Duh....

Still wondering whether there was a ticket?

Yep and it happens everyday..... but not by all cops.... Then again.... The same cops that do it wonder why they get no respect..... and they generally have a chip on thier shoulder.

I have been pulled over before and gotten out of the vehicle before the cop comes up to the window because I have a pistol on the seat next to me (which I have a permit for) and I figured it was safer for me to get out of the car than to have him walk up and see the gun there even though it is legal.... This has happened more than once and some of the replys are "thanks" I understand... and some of them are still smart butts about it.... All depends on who pulls you over. However I still feel it is safer for me to get out and irratate the cops seom than to take a chance with the cop over reacting since I do not trust the cop.

Just my .02

Got a warning about (the lights not workin)

A warning?

Hell, he couldn't prove the lights weren't working then.

As stated, he was looking for fellas who had a few while on the water.

Sounds like no big deal; wouldn't give it another thought, if it was me....

Just saw you are in MD; that explains much......

Sounds like ya think its ok to be pulled over for no reason.........I dont give a chit what he was thinking.

"Know Your Rights"


Number 1
You have the right not to be killed
Murder is a CRIME!
Unless it was done by a
Policeman or aristocrat
Know your rights

You weren't the only one fishin' that day. Certainly no recourse for you, but another PR bumble by LEO... LOL, at the warning for working tail-lights. The ol', "Your buddy must've fixed 'em story"... At least he didn't whack one of the lights with his nightstick, like in the movies!

Never said that.

How do you know that the lights on the trailer didn't blink as you went down the road? Trailer light connections are NOTORIOUS for that (trust me, I've pulled my share).

Probable cause for a stop is all that is needed; light flicker is probable cause. Weaving (even if it's to avoid the maybe drunk guy in front of you) is probable cause. Having probable cause to stop, is easy.

Having probable cause to stop, is easy.
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Actually, these days it's a cinch. My best traffic suppression cases based upon lacking probable cause are merely becoming old memories now!!

Maybe I took it wrong but you wrote "duh"If you reread it likes its typed you can see how I would take it.

And he didnt say the lights flickered.He said ....and I am Quoting "your lights arent working"

So what's probable cause for a single car on the road doing the speed limit in the right lane and not weaving during daylight?

Or is a newer sports car probably cause in and to itself?

I wish attorneys went after bad cops as aggressively as bad Doctors but alas there is more money in the latter.