Is it true that law enforcement officers (LEOs) can randomly stop vehicles?

Law enforcement officers cannot randomly stop vehicles without reasonable suspicion or probable cause. This principle stems from the Fourth Amendment, which protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. In order to conduct a traffic stop, an officer must observe a traffic violation or have specific, articulable facts that lead them to suspect a crime is occurring or about to occur.

Random stops, which lack an objective reason or suspicion, would be considered unlawful. Therefore, the assertion that officers can engage in such practices is false. This ensures that citizens' rights are protected and that law enforcement operates within legal boundaries. In summary, the law requires that stops are based on specific justifications rather than being arbitrary or random.