Stopped by Cop in Alabama I-65

Did he search your truck? I hardly ever see border patrol in that area. He probably used failure to maintain a single lane to pull you over for perhaps something more. ( Even though probable cause is not needed for cmv's)Were you drifting in and out of the lane?

 

Probable cause is NOT needed if the officer is a certified inspector AND the reason for the stop is to conduct safety inspections.

Probable cause IS needed if the officer is not a certified inspector or if the stop is simply fishing to find drugs, etc.

Some inspectors have used their status as an inspector to stop vehicles for drug interdiction without probable cause and the courts have ruled against them.

 

Your right, I should have worded that better. Was the officer that stopped him DOT or a local officer or deputy? Most of them are not very familiar ith DOT certifications/ regulations etc.

 

Was he DOT/Trooper or a local officer or deputy?

 

If I was in the officers shoes I certainly would have asked for the curtains to be opened also. Would be pretty unsafe talking to someone not knowing what's behind them ya know?

 

Anybody with legal knowledge who can corroborate this? I've heard tales that the sleeper can be treated as unsearchable without a warrant.

 

Even though I am a local cop I am a DOT inspector. I have never once asked for the curtain to be opened nor have I even entered a bunk. In my opinion that is your house. I have never gone further then the step and even then I ask permission to step up everytime...even if the driver already gave me permission once. If I step down I ask permission to step up again before doing so.