Imagine the police have asked you to stop so that they can ask you a few questions. It’s natural to begin to wonder what your rights are in this situation, including whether or not the stop is legal in certain cases. Determining when an investigatory stop is lawful can be simple when you have a complete understanding of the circumstances, but navigating through this interaction may be difficult if you are unfamiliar with your rights. So, when can a law enforcement officer legally conduct an investigatory stop?
A police officer must have reasonable suspicion of illegal or criminal behavior to initiate an investigatory stop. This means investigatory stops may be unlawful if there is only a rumor of potentially criminal behavior. If you are unsure how to apply the law to your circumstances, including if you were asked to participate in an illegal investigatory stop, you are not alone. Bernal Law is equipped to help you understand what steps you should take moving forward.
When Are Investigatory Stops Legal?
Investigatory stops are not always legal, as police must have adequate reasonable suspicion for illegal behavior. Simply hearing a rumor about suspicious individuals is insufficient to conduct an investigatory stop. Actual criminal behavior or threat of a crime must be present, including activities such as brandishing a gun, dispensing controlled substances, theft, or similar. You may be asked questions even if you are not the suspicious character, including whether you saw anything concerning or recognized an individual.
Are Investigatory Stops Ever Illegal?
An investigatory stop may be illegal if the police only have a hunch about something suspicious without clear indications of actual criminal behavior or intent.
Certain assumptions—including simply acting or looking nervous, appearing to be on drugs, or wearing a baggy jacket—are not enough. While these signs, paired with others, might indicate illegal behavior, making assumptions based on these or similar indicators is insufficient.
How Do I Maintain My Rights During an Investigatory Stop?
Other than ensuring the police tell you about your Miranda rights if they arrest you, there are additional rights for you to maintain during an investigatory stop. In particular, you are permitted to ask if you are being detained.
If law enforcement tells you you are not being detained, you are free to go. Staying with the officers, whether they claim they intend to detain you or not, may mean you are legally detained.
Asking if you are being detained is helpful, as it clarifies if you have the right to leave the situation. If you are arrested after detention, the court must also decide whether your detention was legal. Showing your understanding of your rights is beneficial, while not asking for essential information you deserve to know can have long-term consequences.
Protect Your Rights With Support From Bernal Law’s Criminal Defense Lawyer
Understanding your rights, whether you are in an investigatory stop or otherwise, is essential in all circumstances. If you feel your rights have been violated or you have been illegally forced to participate in an investigatory stop, you don’t have to act alone. An attorney from Bernal Law can be a valuable asset during legal matters. Attorney Pedro Bernal was a former prosecutor, so he knows how the other side works and the strategies they use. He’s also fluent in both English and Spanish.
Attorney Bernal served as both a Deputy District Attorney in the San Diego District Attorney’s Office and a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Diego. For assistance with your case, please contact and retain our support at your earliest convenience. You can reach us at (619) 736-9092 or when you complete our contact form.
