How long can a cop follow you before it's entrapment?

Asked by: Ottilie Metz  |  Last update: January 27, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (70 votes)

There's no specific time or distance limit for how long a police officer can follow you; it's not about duration but about their conduct, focusing on whether they're inducing you to commit a crime (entrapment) or merely observing for a potential infraction. Police can follow you for extended periods to observe for traffic violations or crimes, but if their actions become overly coercive, harassing, or involve planting ideas, it could be considered entrapment, though typically this involves more active solicitation than just following.

How far can a cop follow you without pulling you over?

We've heard people say things like “police can't follow you for more than a mile” or “If you make three turns and the officer is still behind you, they can no longer pull you over.” We're not exactly sure where these rumors started, but just know that there is no set number of miles you can travel or turns you can take ...

What has to be proven for entrapment?

In order to successfully claim entrapment in California, you must prove by a “preponderance of the evidence that the conduct of law enforcement (or their agents) would have likely induced a “normally law-abiding person” to commit the charged offense.

When a cop follows you for 500 miles?

Today we are talking about Warren Buffett's quote. "If a cop follows you for 500 miles, you're going to get a ticket."

How long can a cop follow you before it becomes harassment?

But here's where things get tricky: there isn't really a set time limit on how long an officer can follow you before it crosses into entrapment territory. The key factor lies in their conduct rather than the duration of surveillance itself.

Arrogant Police Officer Pulls Over Black Fbi Agent and Regrets It

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Warren Buffett's #1 rule of investing is famously simple and stark: "Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget Rule No. 1.". This principle emphasizes capital preservation and avoiding significant losses, suggesting that protecting your principal is more crucial for long-term wealth building than chasing high, risky returns. It means focusing on buying good businesses at fair prices, understanding what you invest in, and being disciplined to prevent large, permanent losses, even if it means missing out on some fast gains. 

What are the three types of entrapment?

While some sources list different methods like persuasive, coercive, or exploitative entrapment, the primary legal distinctions for the entrapment defense are usually seen as two approaches: Subjective Entrapment, focusing on the defendant's predisposition, and Objective Entrapment, focusing on police conduct, though some frameworks also categorize by inducement types like Entrapment by Inducement, Entrapment by Design, and Entrapment of Necessity. 

What is considered police entrapment?

CALIFORNIA LEGAL DEFENSES: ENTRAPMENT

Entrapment is defined as a situation in which a normally law-abiding individual is induced into committing a criminal act they otherwise would not have committed because of overbearing harassment, fraud, flattery or threats made by an official police source.

How to test for entrapment?

Courts use two tests to decide if entrapment occurred. The subjective test looks at whether the accused showed any intent to commit the crime on their own. The objective test focuses on law enforcement's behavior, asking if their tactics would provoke a reasonable person to break the law.

Are cops legally allowed to follow you?

Recognizing Police Harassment

If you are experiencing persistent surveillance without reason, being followed for the purpose of intimidating or exerting control over you, or unauthorized tracking devices and/or wiretaps, speak to a California police misconduct lawyer right away.

What does 12 mean for cops?

"12" is slang for police, originating from the police radio code 10-12 ("visitors present," meaning civilians nearby), which became a shorthand warning, and possibly influenced by the TV show Adam-12, used in hip-hop and urban culture to mean cops are around or to be wary of law enforcement. It's used in contexts ranging from casual conversation to cautionary warnings like "Watch out for the 12" or "Fuck 12".
 

How do police violate the 4th Amendment?

Police violate the Fourth Amendment by conducting unreasonable searches and seizures, meaning they search your person, home, car, or belongings, or detain you without a warrant or sufficient legal justification like probable cause or reasonable suspicion. Common violations include searching without probable cause, making stops or arrests without reasonable suspicion, using excessive force during a seizure, or extending a traffic stop without justification. 

What not to say when you get pulled over?

Pulled Over? Here's What NOT to Say

  • “I didn't know the speed limit.” Ignorance of the law is not a valid defense. ...
  • “Everyone else was speeding too.” ...
  • “I was in a hurry.” ...
  • “Can't you just give me a warning?” ...
  • “I know my rights!” or arguing about the stop. ...
  • Making jokes or sarcastic comments. ...
  • Admitting guilt outright.

What constitutes harassment by police?

Police harassment involves abusing law enforcement authority through repeated, unjustified actions like illegal stops, searches, arrests, or profiling (racial, ethnic, etc.), often targeting individuals without legal basis or out of malice, violating constitutional rights against unreasonable seizure and due process. It goes beyond isolated incidents to include patterns of intimidation, excessive force, biased comments, or surveillance without cause, requiring a pattern for federal action but still actionable as individual civil rights violations.
 

How long can a cop follow you until they stop you?

How long can a cop follow your car? There is no time limit or mileage limit on how long a cop can follow you before pulling you over. As long as they're in their jurisdiction, they can follow you during their entire shift.

What are the two tests for entrapment?

The two tests of entrapment are subjective entrapment and objective entrapment. The federal government and the majority of the states recognize the subjective entrapment defense (Connecticut Jury Instruction on Entrapment, 2010).

How to tell if you're being set up by police?

Signs you might be set up by police include unusual surveillance (same cars, strangers watching), friends/family being questioned, digital monitoring (social media, ISP alerts), police contacting you with vague questions, or being pressured by new acquaintances into illegal activity, indicating potential informants or sting operations; if you notice these, invoke your right to remain silent and contact a lawyer immediately. 

How hard is it to prove entrapment?

Entrapment can be challenging to prove because it often relies on subjective factors like intent and persuasion. The state may argue that you were already inclined to commit the crime, for instance, or that the officer simply gave you the chance to do what you wanted to do.

What is the burden of proof for entrapment?

In most cases, the defendant bears the burden of proving that entrapment occurred. Once some proof is shown, the prosecution must then prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was predisposed to commit the crime. The court will evaluate the behavior of both the police and the defendant.

What falls under entrapment?

Entrapment is a practice in which a law enforcement agent or an agent of the state induces a person to commit a crime that the person would have otherwise been unlikely or unwilling to commit.

What are common entrapment scenarios?

Common examples include: Drug sales or possession: If an undercover officer pressures an individual into selling drugs despite the person's reluctance or initial refusal, this could qualify as entrapment.

What is the 80 20 rule Buffett?

What Is Warren Buffett's 80/20 Rule? The 80/20 rule suggests that a small portion of your actions (20%) will generate the majority of your results (80%). In investing, Buffett uses this principle to focus only on the most valuable opportunities, rather than spreading his efforts across numerous investments.

Is the 1% rule still a thing?

The "1% rule" might have worked 10 years ago when interest rates were 3 to 4 percent, prices were lower, and rents were higher relative to purchase price. But in 2025, with 6 to 8 percent investor loans and inflated home prices, the math just doesn't hold up anymore.

How much is $1000 a month invested for 30 years?

Investing $1,000 a month for 30 years results in total contributions of $360,000, but the final value depends heavily on the average annual return, potentially ranging from around $800,000 at 5% to over $2.2 million at 10% or more, with figures like $1.4 million (8.27% return) and $1.8 million (9.5% return) being common estimates, showcasing significant compound growth.