Calif. justices clarify police chase rules

AP ^ | 6/19/6

[SmithL]

San Francisco -- Police cars chasing a suspect need to have more than flashing lights and a siren if a driver is charged with evading police, the California Supreme Court said Monday.

In clarifying a key element necessary to convict a motorist of evading police, the court said the vehicle must look like an official police car.

Ruling 5-2, the justices said a vehicle must be equipped with a siren, police lights in addition to some other feature marking it as an official vehicle.

The court did not indicate what features it had in mind, but the opinion mentioned police logos, various lighting styles and paint jobs.

Justice Joyce Kennard, writing for the majority, said the feature must give "reasonable notice to the person being pursued that the pursuit is by the police."

[EagleUSA]

Another slap in the face to law-enforcement, typical of the criminal-supporting liberal left.

[siunevada]

Well, gee, judge, it was dark. I couldn't see the paint job or logos. I thought they were kidnappers, not police. So, I'm not guilty, right?

[glorgau]

Actually, this isn't so bad. Personal safety sometimes dictates not pulling over for any old car.

[Tzimisce]

In a later, less controversial ruling the courts decided that laws against rape, murder and stealing unfairly discriminate against criminals....

[keat]

Actually, this isn't so bad.

Having read the whole article, but not the ruling, I would have to say I agree with you 100%

[kingu]

California Supreme Court is not liberal; this was a reasonable decision. If police desire to charge a motorist with 'evading police', a separate charge that automatically requires a 6 month sentence, you gotta get a reasonably marked car or cycle to attempt the pull over.

There's nothing liberal about that concept. If the 'chase' is so short that they can't get an official car there, then it probably wasn't evading police to begin with.

[riverrunner]

In Wisconsin it has been like that for ever. To many police impersonators to have it any other way.

[Navy Patriot]

To many police impersonators to have it any other way.

This is the well kept secret that these sort of decisions hinge on. I have instructed Mrs. Patriot to not pull over for an unmarked car, cell call for help, and drive to a police station or public area with plenty of citizens in the area before stopping, and not to stop where blocked. If the cops don't like it, too bad, I'll spend my dough on jury trials instead of funerals.

[jiggyboy]

Ruling 5-2, the justices said a vehicle must be equipped with a siren, police lights in addition to some other feature marking it as an official vehicle. The court did not indicate what features it had in mind...

If they're in Compton, they could put one of these guys in the passenger seat:

[cyclotic]

I agree with you. My wife and daughter are under explicit instructions that they are not, under any circumstances to pull over for anything but a fully marked police car with uniformed officers. I'll handle any repercussions later.

[apillar]

Actually, I believe that this is pretty standard. Their was a rash of rapes back in the late 1990's with the perps pulling over women using "fake" unmarked cars. Several states changed their laws so that motorists aren't required to stop for unmarked cars and the police must call a marked car to make the stop before they can claim a motorist was evading.