Opinion ID: 2273282
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Basis for a Detention

Text: A detention may be undertaken by the police `if there is an articulable suspicion that a person has committed or is about to commit a crime.' ( In re James D. (1987) 43 Cal.3d 903, 911, 239 Cal.Rptr. 663, 741 P.2d 161, quoting Wilson v. Superior Court (1983) 34 Cal.3d 777, 784, 195 Cal.Rptr. 671, 670 P.2d 325.) For traffic infractions, a police officer may lawfully stop a motorist if the facts and circumstances known to the officer support at least a reasonable suspicion that the driver has violated the Vehicle Code or some other law. ( People v. Miranda (1993) 17 Cal.App.4th 917, 926, 21 Cal.Rptr.2d 785.)