Passenger Rights During a Traffic Stop

[medino]

My question involves police conduct in the State of: California

My friend and I got stopped by the Santa Barbara Co Sheriff Dept for no license plate light. I was the passenger in the car my question is other than asking for my ID can the officer pull me out of the car and arrest me for an 11550? There was no evidence of drugs in the car, I'm not on probation and I was not being threating in any way.

[cdwjava]

My question involves police conduct in the State of: California

My friend and I got stopped by the Santa Barbara Co Sheriff Dept for no license plate light. I was the passenger in the car my question is other than asking for my ID can the officer pull me out of the car and arrest me for an 11550? There was no evidence of drugs in the car, I'm not on probation and I was not being threating in any way.

An arrest requires only probable cause to believe that a person is under the influence of a controlled substance. Apparently you looked high, the officer conducted an evaluation or further investigation, and determined you were under the influence and made the arrest.

The good news is that you should be eligible for diversion so that you can get clean and have this removed from your record ... assuming you were under the influence, of course.