Is it Legal for a Cop to Follow You for a Mile and Wait in Your Driveway?
Often, people wonder if it's legal for police to follow them for long distances, including all the way home, and whether they can wait near or in their driveway. Let's explore these questions in detail.
What Does the Law Say?
Yes, it is legal for a cop to follow you for a mile or more and wait for you to pull into your driveway. However, the circumstances under which this can occur and the actions taken by the police do not constitute entrapment or an illegal search. Police have the authority to follow individuals and gather information to determine if there is further action needed, such as confirming your identity or looking for any illegal activity. This is all done within legal limits.
Why Do Police Follow Individuals?
Followership can be a part of standard police procedures for a variety of reasons. For instance, if a police officer makes a traffic stop, they will often run your vehicle’s registration and plate to confirm the identity of the driver. If the officer suspects any illegal activity, they might follow you for extended periods to observe your behavior or to confirm the details of any reported incidents. The observation can be as simple as verifying that the vehicle you are driving matches the description provided in a police report or as detailed as monitoring driving patterns to detect any suspicious behavior.
Is It Entrapment?
Entrapment is a legal defense where an individual is charged with a crime that would not have occurred without a law enforcement agent's involvement. In the context of police following individuals, it's crucial to understand that simply following someone does not constitute entrapment. The issue of entrapment arises when a law enforcement agent takes active steps to encourage a person to commit a crime that they would not otherwise commit. In the instance of following someone for a mile, no such encouragement or inducement occurs. The police are merely gathering information for their investigation.
Police Rights and Observations
Police officers have the right to observe and follow individuals in various circumstances. They can follow you for 50 feet, 5 miles, or even a mile, depending on the situation. The primary reason for this is to gather more information, evaluate your driving ability, or confirm your identity after a potential traffic stop. Additionally, if police have a warrant or if they believe you are committing a crime, they can follow you further. In some cases, like in the article, the police may follow you closer to your home or in your driveway to ensure safety and to confirm details without embarrassing you.
Conclusion
Policing involves various techniques to ensure public safety and to investigate potential crimes. While it might seem intrusive to be followed for a mile or to have a police car waiting in your driveway, these practices are within their rights and are used to gather necessary information for their investigations. It's important to note, however, that the police have no right to stand near your home and wait until you enter your property if you pose no threat. Moreover, entrapment involves more than just following someone; it requires a demonstration of active encouragement or inducement. Therefore, the actions described in the article are perfectly legal and within the scope of police duties.