Civil Service Supervisor Practice Exam

A pretextual traffic stop is characterized by a situation where law enforcement stops a vehicle for a minor traffic violation, but the underlying reason for the stop is to investigate unrelated criminal activity. This means that while the officer may have a legitimate reason to pull over the vehicle, such as speeding or a broken taillight, the primary motive for the stop is actually to probe into suspected criminal behavior that is not directly related to the traffic violation itself.

This practice raises legal and ethical issues, especially regarding the potential for discrimination and profiling, as the primary reason for stopping the vehicle may not be disclosed. Officers often use this method to gather evidence or gain probable cause for further investigations, which can sometimes lead to legal challenges against the validity of the stop.

The other options do not accurately define a pretextual stop since they describe situations where the intent or basis for the stop is either solely issuing a citation, based on an actual, valid traffic violation without ulterior motives, or conducting routine checks. These do not implicate the concept of using a minor violation as a cover for investigating other suspicions, which is the core of a pretextual stop.