How long can a cop legally follow you before pulling you over?
Asked by: Hubert Anderson | Last update: October 16, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (17 votes)
As long as you stay within the officers jurisdiction he/she can follow you until the end of the shift….or until the decision is made to make the traffic stop…or until dispatch pulls the Officer away to something else.
How long can a police officer follow you for?
While there is no specific distance or time frame that defines when police surveillance becomes harassment, officers must respect your privacy. If their actions exceed what is reasonable, that is considered harassment.
Can a cop pull you over days later?
Yes. The officer still witnessed you committing a traffic violation.
Can a cop pull you over after following for a mile?
There is no time limit. If there is a vehicle code violation or an equipment violation, the officer “runs the plates” to see if there are “wants and warrants” on the vehicle or the registered owner. The more information the officer has on the registered owner and the vehicle the better.
Can you just pull over if a cop is following you?
Some cops don't like it, but there's nothing illegal about doing it, as long as you do it safely, and signal and all of that stuff. In the US, it's acceptable for police to single out a car and follow it until the driver violates a law, then pull the car over. If I think that's happening, I'll just pull over and stop.
probably my favourite interaction
Can a cop pull you over if you did nothing wrong?
Reasons To Get Pulled Over
Police cannot pull you over without reason. They need probable cause to believe you committed a crime before stopping, searching, or detaining you.
Why do cops follow you but not pull?
Instead, the general rule is that police are allowed to follow you for a reasonable distance to observe your driving and determine if a traffic stop needs to be conducted. As you might imagine, a reasonable distance is interpretative and will vary based on the specifics of the situation.
Is it illegal to follow a cop with lights on?
No laws against that. Some places have laws against following emergency vehicles displaying their emergency light or siren too closely. You cannot break the laws while following the emergency vehicle. You cannot speed, they can.
How do cops decide who to pull over?
The officer must decide whether or not there is good reason to stop a driver. Police are looking for unusual driving. This includes weaving or very slow speed, or something like a burnt out tail light.
Can police ask why they pulled you over?
This applies whether you are stopped in a car or while walking. An officer can no longer ask you to tell them why they stopped you or pulled you over. If the officer asks you why they stopped you, do not give them any information.
What to say when a cop asks how fast you were going?
If asked, “Do you know how fast you were going?” say “Yes.” Answering “No” will to imply to the officer that you are being negligent by not being aware of your speed/ the speed limit.
Can a cop quit at any time?
Yes. They can certainly quit their jobs at any time. They do not need permission to quit. Law Enforcement Officers are often called “public servants” but that does not mean that they are subject to the involuntary servitude whims of their employers.
Can a cop wait to pull you over?
No. Officers must have probable cause to stop you when you're driving. For example, if they follow you from the bar and you are weaving all over the road, they'd have a legal reason to stop you.
Can cops hear you in your car?
Law enforcement agencies can perpetrate these harms because they have easy, legal access to car data. Police search powers still have some limitations, such as needing a wiretap warrant prior to recording real-time audio in a car. Courts have held that the Fourth Amendment applies to real-time government wiretaps.
Can a police officer tell you to leave?
If the public place is the scene of a fire, a crime, or a natural disaster, and your presence interferes with emergency personnel an officer can order you to leave and arrest you if you refuse. A police officer can tell you anything they want to. They can do anything they want to you.
How far can a cop legally follow you?
How Far Can A Police Officer Follow You Before It Is Considered Harassment? There is no limit on how long a police car can follow you and the act is not considered harassment. However, this is possible as long as they're within the officer's jurisdiction.
Can you ignore a cop talking to you?
Q: Do I have to answer questions asked by law enforcement officers? A: No. You have the constitutional right to remain silent. In general, you do not have to talk to law enforcement officers (or anyone else), even if you do not feel free to walk away from the officer, you are arrested, or you are in jail.
Can a cop pull you over if he's sitting with his lights off?
Answer: A police offficer does not have to advertise their position, so it is not illegal for an officer to have their lights off before pulling someone over. If certain defects are contained in the summons and complaint, the case may be subject to jurisdictional attack.
Can a cop take your keys without permission?
Under California law, during a routine traffic stop for speeding, a police officer generally does not have the legal right to demand your car keys without probable cause or a valid reason.
What to say when a cop asks you where you are going?
You have the right to remain silent. For example, you do not have to answer any questions about where you are going, where you are traveling from, what you are doing, or where you live. If you wish to exercise your right to remain silent, say so out loud.
Can I refuse to get out of my car?
Yes, you generally need to step out of the car if a police officer asks you to. According to the U.S. Supreme Court rulings in Pennsylvania v. Mimms and Maryland v. Wilson, officers have the authority to ask both drivers and passengers to exit the vehicle during a traffic stop for safety reasons.
How long can undercover police follow you?
There should be no undercover investigation of any one person by any one agency for more than 24 hours without a court-approved warrant.
How do cops know which car to pull over?
RADAR is an acronym for RAdio Detection And Ranging, Unlike police laser, police radar directly determines a vehicle's speed by measuring the doppler (speed induced) shift of the return of its transmitted frequency (think of the sound you sometimes hear of an approaching or receding train or emergency vehicle).