Legal Question in Traffic Law in Washington

Does anybody really know how far a police officer is alowed to follow you with no probable cause, before they should have to back off and leave you alone? The car I was driving was legally tagged and in a clear name. I was followed for over a few miles before, with no probable cause was pulled over. My secound question is, after the stop I was imediatly reconized by the officer who knew me well enough to know I was suspended. From there they had probable cause to search. They ended up finding something they thought was herion, but one of the searching officers dropped what he thought was herion on the ground. For at least five minutes both officers searched the ground by the car until they found something. Well i'm being charged for poss. of Herion for what those officers found on the ground. Is that right, can I be found guilty in a court of law for this. Dosen't seem right at all!!!!


Asked on 4/13/10, 11:57 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
James J. White, attorney Law Offices of Smith & White, PLLC

They can follow you. They probably pulled you over because they recognized you or the tabs came back to a suspended driver (and you generally matched the description). They will have problems with the herion. 1) chain of custody, since the chain was immediately broken when they dropped it and found something on the ground and, 2) knowing possession since I'm sure you never admitted that the item was yours.

At your service,

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Answered on 4/19/10, 11:32 am


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