Q: Do I have a federal civil rights violation case against this officer and police officer?
When I was pulled over a cop came to the window and I asked him why did he pull me over. He then asked for my physical credentials. I took my time retrieving them because I wanted him to answer my question. I then asked a couple more times and he said ("because I can"). I responded back that he couldn't just do that without probable cause. Without him having my license yet, het said he pulled me over for a suspended license. I said how would you know that? He said, because I ran your license. I said, who's license because you don't even know who I am yet. He said, that's why I need your license. I said I thought you said my license was suspended. I also asked what's the age of the driver? What's his race? He said, the system doesn't have a picture. Irregardless is a license is suspended or not, was this a clear Federal violation of my civil rights? He also stated he was following me all day. I asked if his and his partners boy cam was running and they both said yes.
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A:
I'm sorry you went through that experience. It’s important to understand that police officers need a valid reason or probable cause to initiate a traffic stop. If the officer couldn’t clearly explain why you were stopped or relied on vague reasons like "because I can," this might raise questions about the legitimacy of the stop.
Your concerns about how the officer knew your license was suspended and the lack of proper identification are valid points to consider. Additionally, if you felt that your interactions were influenced by factors like your race or if you were being followed without clear justification, these could be relevant to your situation.
To determine if you have a federal civil rights violation case, it would be best to consult with a qualified attorney who can review all the details and evidence. They can provide guidance on the strength of your case and the appropriate steps to take next. Documenting everything that happened and any available recordings will also be helpful in building your case.
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