Five Reasons Why an Officer May Legally Make Contact With You
A police officer must have a legal reason to make contact with a driver. There are five reasons why an officer may legally make contact with you:
- A traffic stop must be based on a reasonable suspicion that you are committing an offense. A moving violation, an equipment problem or a tag issue are all legal reasons for an officer to pull you over.
- DUI roadblocks allow officers to pull you over, however, there are several legal requirements that the courts have imposed for the public's safety.
- Welfare checks occur when an officer sees or receives information that an occupant of a vehicle may need medical assistance. Usually the person is just asleep.
- Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately – a REDDI report is when a citizen reports a vehicle that is moving erratically or an intoxicated person drives away from a location.
- Every accident must be reported or investigated by an officer, even if only one vehicle is involved. When you call a tow truck, the company will call the law enforcement agency and you will receive a ticket for Leaving the Scene of an Accident and/or Failure to Report an Accident. A conviction for either offense results in a (1) year loss of license.
If an officer makes contact with you, the first issue is whether it was legal and the second issue is whether evidence collected is admissible.
FAcing arrest? See my 8 Steps to Arrest and Prosecution.
Call me immediately (970-871-7400) to discuss your questions, needs and how I can help you in this trying time.
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"Over the last fourteen years, I have tried more jury trials than any practicing attorney in the 14th Judicial District (Routt County, Moffat County, and Grand County Colorado including Steamboat Springs, Craig, and Hot Sulphur Springs) with consistent success."
-- Larry D. Combs
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