Can Police Officers Issue Tickets While Driving Behind a Vehicle?

The notion of a police officer issuing tickets while following a vehicle can seem silly at first glance, but in reality, it's not unheard of. However, certain practical considerations and legal requirements come into play.

Legal and Practical Considerations

Issuing tickets while driving behind a vehicle presents several challenges. For starters, the police officer might be unable to open a vehicle canopy and reach for an officer-issued citation without stopping the vehicle. Additionally, poor handwriting could result in illegible tickets, which could lead to disputes. Furthermore, officers need your license, which complicates the situation further.

While it's legally and practically unlikely, there are scenarios where officers might attempt to issue tickets without stopping. One such example is the case of a driver being pulled over for a DUI arrest. The officer might still have the driver's information at their disposal, such as the driver's license, citation, and other relevant documents. In this instance, the officer can still proceed with writing the citation once they have pulled the driver over.

Case in Point

Consider a scenario where a police officer patrols an area after a DUI arrest. The officer has all the necessary information about the suspect, including personal details and the registered vehicle. Soon after a cab drops the suspect at his vehicle, the police officer initiates a pursuit. Since the officer has all the relevant information, they can write the citations en route to the suspect's location. Once the suspect is stopped and their vehicle is pulled over, the officer can complete the process and issue the tickets.

For instance, Officer Smith stopped a driver for a DUI arrest and later bond release. The suspect was dropped off near their parked car, and Officer Smith had all the necessary information, such as the driver's license and citation. As the suspect attempted to drive away, the officer initiated a pursuit. Since the incident was relatively recent and the suspect was still under the influence, the officer could cite the suspect for another DUI, reckless driving, and driving without a license. The officer waited until the suspect's car was pulled over and then handed over the tickets at the court appearance.

Conclusion

While it's generally impractical and unlikely for police officers to issue tickets while driving behind a vehicle, they do have the legal authority and necessary paperwork to do so in certain situations. To avoid confusion and potential disputes, officers typically pull the vehicle over and then write the ticket while the driver is stopped. The main takeaway is that you must always cooperate with law enforcement and follow their instructions to prevent any misunderstandings.