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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Posts
    11

    Default Can the Police Make Traffic Stops in Unmarked Vehicles

    My question involves police conduct in the State of: Illinois

    Had a couple detectives from local PD in civilian clothes in an unmarked city police vehicle pull me over for not having my front plate affixed to my vehicle. Turned out they wanted to talk to me about a possible criminal matter unrelated to the front plate not being on my vehicle. Fyi, the reason I ask is because I've been hearing that it is illegal (in certain states) for unmarked cars to pull over people for moving violations. Is it legal? How do I find out for my state/local agency?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    California
    Posts
    20,594

    Default Re: Can Local Law Enforcement Make Traffic Stops in "Unmarked" Vehicles

    In general, so long as the stop is for a valid reason (i.e. no front plate) then the subjective reason for the stop is largely irrelevant so long as it is related to their job as a peace officer. The law still does not require you to talk to them beyond providing required info like a DL, insurance and registration info.

    I cannot find anything in IL that makes it unlawful for an officer in an unmarked vehicle to affect a detention of another vehicle.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Tacoma, WA
    Posts
    1,534

    Default Re: Can Local Law Enforcement Make Traffic Stops in "Unmarked" Vehicles

    While the law does vary from state to state, even those states that have such a statute (my state of WA does – kinda) frequently also have exceptions. Just like a lot of “sovereign citizen” claims, there is a lot of misinformation on this subject on the internet. The bottom line is – if you chose to fail to yield to a cop because the cop car is “unmarked,” the state may be more limited in what they can charge you with. But, rest assured, it is a near certainty that they have encountered the situation before and can charge you with something – and make it stick.

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