Can traffic officers pull you over? TOYOTA Camry VI Saloon (_V4_) (01.2006 - 12.2014)

In general, police officers must have reasonable suspicion or probable cause to legally pull you over during a traffic stop. This means they need a specific and articulable reason to believe you have committed, are committing, or are about to commit a traffic violation or crime. Simply put, they cannot stop you "for no reason" or just based on a hunch.

- Reasonable suspicion is a lower standard than probable cause but still requires observable facts or behavior suggesting a violation or criminal activity (e.g., erratic driving, running a red light, or a broken tail light).
- Probable cause is a higher standard needed for more intrusive actions like searches or arrests.

Even if the officer’s actual motivation is unrelated to the traffic violation (a "pretextual stop"), as long as there is probable cause to believe a traffic law was broken, the stop is considered lawful.

If an officer stops you without reasonable suspicion or probable cause, evidence obtained during that stop may be inadmissible in court under the exclusionary rule.

In summary:
- Officers must witness a traffic violation or have reasonable suspicion of criminal activity to pull you over.
- They can run your plates without stopping you, but a stop must be justified by something more concrete.
- If you’re unsure why you were stopped, you can politely ask the officer for the reason.
- During the stop, stay calm, keep hands visible, and know your rights regarding searches and questioning.
This framework applies broadly in the US (including New York) and reflects constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. For UK-specific rules, the principles are similar, requiring lawful grounds for a stop.

If you want detailed legal advice tailored to your jurisdiction, consulting a local attorney is recommended.