Thread: Probable Cause

I've heard that, in the last few years, the probable cause rule for police stops and searches has basically been thrown out. Does that mean that a cop can now just stop you for no reason?

I've heard probable cause mentioned years ago, but I'm not sure if that's changed lately.

I think you can be stopped as in a spot check without a specific reason. If one's required, I think the police could say they thought you were driving strangely or something like that.

Originally Posted by mollyL

I've heard that, in the last few years, the probable cause rule for police stops and searches has basically been thrown out. Does that mean that a cop can now just stop you for no reason?

I don't think that probably cause has been thrown out (concerning police searches and seizures) but I think that it has been modified quite a bit.