Salt Lake City, UT asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets

Q: is it legal to be pulled over in colorado if police say your passenger has a warrant

then police said I was driving on revocation I had a valid drivers license they had many officers they guns drawn detained us both then walked a dog around car. they search car opening a locked box finding 3 0zs of meth

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: Yes, in Colorado, police can lawfully pull you over if they have a legitimate reason, such as a warrant for someone in your vehicle or concerns about your driving status. If they believe your license is revoked, even if you believe it’s valid, they are authorized to investigate further. The presence of multiple officers and drawn weapons suggests they had serious concerns for their safety during the stop.

When the police detain you and your passenger and conduct a search, they must have probable cause or your consent to do so. Walking a dog around the car might be part of a drug detection procedure, which can be legal under certain circumstances. Opening a locked box and finding meth would typically require that the officers had a justified reason to search that specific area of your vehicle.

If you believe your rights were violated during the stop or search, it’s important to consult with a legal professional who can review the details of your situation. They can provide guidance on whether the actions taken by the police were within legal boundaries and help you understand your options moving forward.

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