Can cops follow you and pull you over for nothing?

Can a police officer follow you for over 2 miles then pull you over for no reason?
Yesterday I purchased beer with a fake ID and the cop followed me out of the grocery store parking lot for at least 2 miles then pulled me over and gave no reason for...

pulling me over.

Is this OK? Maybe something a lawyer could get me off with?

I think an officer can always come up with a reason such as 'you were driving too fast for conditions or driving erractic or in a suspicious manner - both hard to disprove as it's your word against theirs - not implying this makes it right, just that's the way it is....regardless, of course, the fake ID is illegal.

It is pretty tough to claim that your rights were violated in this situation.

The police have pretty broad authority when you are driving. The cop could claim that you didn't signal a turn or were driving eratically etc. Once he determined you had a fake ID he had probable cause to search your vehicle for alcohol.

For future reference, when you are pulled over by a cop pull over someplace where there will be witnesses. If you are obviously not trying to get away this will not get you into trouble. If you can pull into a parking lot. If the cop asks you why you didn't pull over right away tell him that you thought it would be safer for both of you here. Never concent to having your car searched no mater what the cop says. When the policeman approaches your vehicle lock the doors and only open the window far enough to talk to the policeman and hand him your ID. If the cop asks you to step out of the car roll the window up and lock the car after you get out. If the cop starts to search your vehicle anyway tell him I do not concent to a search. If you make it clear that you don't concent to a search than you may be able to get off if a judge determines that the cop didn't have probable cause to search your vehicle. Of course keep any contraband in your trunk, the cop doesn't need a search order when something illegal is in plain sight. Naturally if the cop has a court order you have to let him search.

Dealing with police is nerve racking but do stand your ground and assert your rights, you don't have to make it easy for them to convict you. It is said that most people who are convicted of crimes convict themselves.

Do talk to your lawyer. They might be able to find an angle and if this is your first brush with law enforcement they might go easy on you.

Good luck!

Yes

Yes. By the Consitution.....they can search your car if the have reason to believe you are a danger to society (drugs, weapons, this including alcohol). You are considered on public property if in your car. You are using a road provided by the city. If seen as a public nuisance or threat to society they have the right to protect the public. They do have the right to detain you for a search warrant.

first of all the officer in question is probably going to say he saw you acquire the alcoholic beverage or he was notified of it being in your possession! he is going to say that this was probable cause to initiate the vehicle traffic stop in and of itself and at that time! any lawyer with half a brain should be able to get you off (figuratively speaking) on an illegal search and seizure! now this is the tricky part because lawyers are freaking shiesters and it can be rather difficult to identify one that is not incompetent. the key is to know the law yourself. people who know something about law are more able to identify a good lawyer when they see one in action! law is to be utilized to govern us! not to control us! those who do not know the law are doomed to be controlled by it!

i really wouldn't recommend looking into a lawyer, unless your parents are lawyers. are you american? canadian? which province? police officers have different jurisdictions and have different laws. in many cases a police officer can pull you over if they supect something. you said the cop was following you from the store, maybe he suspected you were underage. i dont know what kind of trouble you got in, if there's a fine, just pay it. it'll be cheaper than going to court. sorry about your luck!

He did it the legal way, allowed you to leave the store with the beer, followed you the minimum distance for surveillance, which is 2 miles. But most importantly, you are the one who broke the law. Get a lawyer.

Yes, a cop can pull you over for what appears to be nothing. If they are suspicious or just have a feeling that something is wrong they can pull you over. To save yourself some money on legal fees--try checking with Legal Aid first to see exactly what your rights are.

Need more information. But, you should show it to a local lawyer. Most will answer one question without charge.

For useful info take a look at these sites:

http://www.legal-advice-library.info
http://www.austin-texas-lawyers-attorneys-directory.com/austin-legal-services.htm
http://www.san-diego-lawyer-attorney-personal-injury-dui-car-immigration.info
http://sandiegolawyerforyou.com/san-diego-criminal-law.htm
http://www.san-antonio-texas-lawyers-attorneys-directory.com
http://legal-advice-library.info/blog
http://www.las-vegas-nevada-lawyer-attorney-legal-injury-defense-directory.com
http://www.new-jersey-lawyers-directory.com
http://www.brokerforyou.com/san-diego-real-estate-sales.html

Where you cited for any kind of moving and/or other violation of the law? Or were you just pulled over?

If the cop saw you purchase the beer, and became suspicious you had a fake ID, that would be one thing. Even then it's a pretty shaky case. If you are rich, or your parents are, I would suggest you find yourself a good lawyer. If you are at least the age of 18, the ACLU might could point you in the right direction.

As far as I believe within the law, yes a cop can pull you over for just about any reason, or he'll make up something just so he can. But he can't cite you for anything if you broke no laws.

They pull you over because they are following you. The real question is can they start to follow you for nothing.

the cop probably knew it was a fake ID from the store clerk
duh
you dont get a fake ID
you get some1 with a REAl ID to go in and get if for you
derrr

Actually they can but if they don't give you a clear reason you can demend to be let go. Also I read somehwre before that they can search you if they want, THEY CANT!!! If you're pulled over for no reason KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. I hate cops, my brother is one my boyfriend was studying to be one, and they both hate it. you want more info let me know,

Yes they can, proof below:

My friend got pulled over for taking too long to accelerate after a red light turned green. She was distracted while talking to us. The officer then asked so many darn questions. One example, Officer: Where are you going? Driver: Going to see a movie. Officer: Let me see your movie tickets.

I think the request to see the movie tickets is going beyond what is necessary. I have had bad experiences with cops blaming me for wrongdoings when I did nothing. I almost got arrested once and it turned out the cop was wrong. No sorry was said to me.

they usually pull you over for nothing, because they are such nosey people, why do you think they're cops. But if thye do start to follow you, just take 3 turns, if he/she is still following you, you get them for stocking!

it matters what county and state you are in because each state has different laws so if they see a reason to pull you over. they also pull you over because they think you may have no drivers licens and mabe they a run your plates

well in New Jersey, if you are 18, you can drive with Beer/alcohol in your trunk. and why did you show him your fake id rather than your real ID, unless you were just joyriding.

Yes, if you are atractive like Ciara Monica they do just to ask you out or to see if what they saw is right.

maybe he knew you had a fake ID

Of course!