State Patrols

[Yolanda]

Do State Patrols have the authority to pull someone over in city limits? Would this vary state to state?

TIA for replying!

[ManteoChik]

Do you mean State Troopers vs Sheriffs department or town cops?

In that case, yes I think a state trooper can pull you over within city limits if that is part of their jurisdiction.

A funny thing about my area, the Wildlife Patrol Officers (we call them game wardens) rank higher than the cops and can pull anyone over, anywhere.

[BusyBee21]

In CA, I believe there is something called "intra-jurisdiction", where if an officer of the law (Sheriff, Police, Highway Patrol) sees a person committing a crime (speeding, running light, DD, etc), they have the authority to pull them over, or detain them until the local jurisdiction arrives on the scene. That's my understanding, at least.

[sparkle&shine]

They can in AZ. Pretty much like the poster said above. They really don't have a set jurisdiction if they see someone breaking the law they are allowed to stop them and issue a citation.


I asked a lawyer once because I went to court and thought I might be able to get out of a ticket issued to me by a cop from one city but I was in another. It didn't work ;)

[Yolanda]

Okay, so I was pulled over this morning. I was on a road that I have honestly not driven on in years and I didn't know the speed limit so I was going 30, once I saw the sign I slowed to 25. After I slowed down I saw the State Patrol/Trooper behind me (when I noticed him, we was pretty far behind me and gradually got closer). He rode my butt for almost a mile before deciding to pull me over.

I am 90% sure that he decided to pull me over just because of the vehicle I drive. He didn't call in my plates, ask for my registration or insurance and he only glanced at my Drivers License. For the 10 minutes he had me pulled over, we discussed my car for 9 1/2 minutes.

I thought it was weird that he never ran my plates or anything.

[imagirliegirl]

I thought it was weird that he never ran my plates or anything.

How do you know that? They usually have computers in their cars and do that before they ever pull you over.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure all troopers can pull people over anywhere since their jurisdiction is the state. At least that's how it was in Texas. I can't imagine he would knowingly give you a ticket if it wasn't permissible.

[EJH]

they can in MA...they regularly patrol the main road our street is off of.

[salysaturn]

How do you know that? They usually have computers in their cars and do that before they ever pull you over.

That's what I was thinking too, thats probably why he was following you for so long. I would think they could pull you over if they were there like others have said.

[Rose]

How do you know that? They usually have computers in their cars and do that before they ever pull you over.

I was thinking the same thing. They can call dispatch at the very least and have them look up your plates. Does it really matter who pulled you over? It sounds like you were breaking the law, even though it was unintentional. Did you even get a ticket? It sounds like you didn't, so I'd be pretty happy about that.

[Yolanda]

I realize I did wrong by speeding, but once I found a sign I slowed down. I did not get a ticket, btw. I'm not really complaining about being pulled over since I was speeding, but I am annoyed that we spent more time talking about my vehicle than the matter at hand. I also thought that they asked for vehicle registration and most time insurance as well (which he didn't ask for).

Does it really matter who pulled you over?

No, it doesn't matter. A lady in the class I was going to said that she didn't think State Patrol could pull people over in city limits...so I was curious.

How do you know that? They usually have computers in their cars and do that before they ever pull you over.


I was assuming. Once he got right behind me, I kept an eye on him and I never saw him turn to a computer or move his lips. It is possible he did it anyway.

[laura]

I think they mean he probably ran your plates while he was following you, that's probably why he followed you so long. My dad is a cop and they often do that to make sure there are no outstanding warrants and/or the possibility of the person they are pulling over having a gun or fleeing the scene.

In Illinois I *think* the way it works is that state troopers have a zone and they can pull over anyone in their zone, even in town. Generally if it is too far in town, they would call in the local police too, but they still do have jurisdiction. I think there is also something about where you started the "wrong-doing" - like if you speed on the highway, see a cop behind you and then exit - the cop still has the "right" to follow you into town and pull you over. I don't know all the technicalities, but I think it does vary by state. I know local cops in Illinois can patrol the interstates and highways in their town limits, so I would think the reverse would work for state cops.

[imagirliegirl]

I was assuming. Once he got right behind me, I kept an eye on him and I never saw him turn to a computer or move his lips. It is possible he did it anyway.

I don't know what I was thinking - for his safety, he would not have pulled you over without running your plates. That's part of the reason they run plates, to get a head's up on who they are pulling over. They also report it to dispatch before they stop a car. It's the rules.

Also, most police departments use computers now, so he wouldn't need to move his mouth to run your plates. The way the computers are mounted wouldn't require him to make any movements you could see. It's pretty amazing, actually. They spend quite a bit of the time they are driving around running plates and no one would ever know it!

Just a tidbit for ya.