Seattle, WA asked in Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Washington

Q: Can a police pull me over after running my name on the DMV data base for no reason

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: Yes, police officers have the authority to pull you over if they have a valid reason based on information from the DMV database. However, simply running your name without any specific cause may not provide sufficient justification for a traffic stop. Law enforcement typically requires reasonable suspicion or probable cause to initiate a stop.

If there's no clear violation or issue, a stop based solely on a name check might not hold up legally. During the interaction, it's important to stay calm and respectful. You have the right to ask the officer why you've been stopped and to comply with lawful requests.

Should you feel the stop was unwarranted, you can seek legal advice after the encounter. Keeping a record of the interaction details can be helpful if you decide to contest the stop. Understanding your rights can empower you to handle such situations more effectively.

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