Oregon Road Rules for Cops

Here are some basic rules of the road when it comes to valid traffic stops and police actions in Oregon. These rules may apply in most other states:

An Oregon police officer can not stop you without an articulable reasonable suspicion. He must articulate (describe) specific facts that indicate you are violating some other law or ordinance, and cannot stop you just to check your driver's license and registration. An officer can not rely on a phone call tip without recording the name of the caller.

Unless there is a specific traffic ordinance you are violating, such as impeding traffic, it is not lawful for an officer to stop you for stopping in the middle of the street or for driving to slowly, it is an illegal seizure.

The officer cannot base the arrest on personal statements alone; he or she must have independent evidence to corroborate the confession.

Most statutes only require you to drive as nearly as is practicable within a single lane, it is not illegal or reasonable suspicion if you weave within your lane. Some cases hold that weaving once into the shoulder is not reason for a stop.

The officer must correctly interpret the law to stop you.

All traffic signs must comply with the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

Officers must follow all rules and procedures and operate equipment as instructed in the manual otherwise the stop may be invalidated or the evidence supressed.

Officers must be able to convince the Court that they stopped the same car that committed the infraction, if not, it is an illegal seizure.

Officers may not hold you for a time longer than is reasonably needed to investigate; or restrict your ability to leave without a reasonable suspicion. This is an illegal seizure.

Your home is protected under the fourth amendment. A police officer must have probable cause to believe you committed a crime and exigent (outstandingly unusual and pressingly urgent) circumstances which prevent the obtaining of an arrest warrant.