What must be established to stop a vehicle legally?

To legally stop a vehicle, there must be at least an initial observation of the vehicle in operation that gives law enforcement a reasonable suspicion or probable cause. This means that the officer must witness some action or behavior that indicates a potential violation of law; for instance, observing the vehicle commit a traffic infraction or behave erratically.

This standard is essential as it ensures that the stop is not arbitrary but rather based on factual observations. Personal suspicion alone, without any observed illegal activity, does not meet the legal threshold required for a vehicle stop. Similarly, while information from an informant or a reported crime may contribute to establishing reasonable suspicion, they are not sufficient on their own to justify the stop unless corroborated by the officer’s observations. Therefore, the correct approach involves initial observation of the vehicle’s operation to substantiate the need for intervention.