Can a Cop Give Me a Ticket if They are Off-Duty?

We are grateful for our police force personnel who sacrifice their safety on a day to day basis in order to protect ours. As residents of this remarkable country, we rightfully expect cops to be truthful, respectful, and non-prejudiced leaders and role models so that we can trust them to carry out their duties conscientiously.

But at times, some police officers may display behaviors of bullishness or overconfidence in order to carry out personal agendas that are not necessarily a positive contribution to our communities. One common example involves off-duty cops and unmarked police vehicles.

Continue reading to learn about your rights as a citizen in the case that you are pulled over by an off-duty police officer in an unmarked vehicle.

Criminal Record Expungement Attorney 317-636-7514

Criminal Record Expungement Attorney 317-636-7514

Off-Duty and Unmarked

Being pulled over by an unmarked cop car can be quite alarming. That is because they appear to look like any other normal vehicle on the road; then all of a sudden, you see flashing lights and sirens in your rear-view mirror, giving you a jolt of anxiety. Unmarked police cars are purposeful and used in several types of investigations and routine applications. So if you are pulled over in one, by a cop that is actually on-duty, then you are being legally pulled over. However, if you were pulled over by an off-duty police officer who is out of uniform and in an unmarked vehicle, the situation changes.

According to Indiana Code § 9-30-2-2:

A law enforcement officer that is off the clock and driving in an unmarked vehicle does not have the authority to pull someone over and issue them a citation or ticket. Accordingly, any evidence gathered by the police officer during an unauthorized stop is suppressible, and carries no weight in a court of law whatsoever. Many drivers have had their citations and tickets revoked under these circumstances, after an attorney successfully presented their argument regarding this Indiana Code.

How to Challenge an Illegal Ticket

It is important to understand the limits of a cop’s authority, and when and where they have jurisdiction. This way, you can know whether or not a ticket is being issued legally. If this has ever happened to you, you might want to consider challenging it, or expunging the violation altogether. Talk to an Indianapolis record expungement lawyer to see if you qualify.

Remember, an off-duty officer in an unmarked vehicle has just as much right to pull you over as you have the right to pull over the car in front of you. So if a cop on his way home from work wants to pull you over, keep this in mind. But of course, never keep driving. It is best to just stop and talk to the police officer. Do not argue, accept the ticket, and then immediately call a criminal defense lawyer when you get home.

Expunge Criminal Records in Indiana

Criminal Record Expungement 317-636-7514

Criminal Record Expungement 317-636-7514

Call 317-636-7514 to expunge criminal records in Indiana. We offer criminal record expungement services starting as low as $850! As a seasoned criminal defense law firm, we are well-versed in the new Indiana expungement laws, and know exactly how to file and obtain a legal expungement, successfully. Call our office at 317-636-7514 and schedule a free initial consultation to determine your eligibility, today.