Expert: Robin Sexton - 6/12/2008

Question
Do city cops have jurisdiction passed city limits? A city police office followed my husband,after driving passed him, out of city limits and search the residence and arrested him, he is on probation,they did this without ever attempting to pull him over just came onto the property handcuffed him and searched the residence.

Answer
Susan,

Every state has different laws and regulations regarding authority and jurisdiction of police officers.  Officers could be deputized in the county, mutual aid letters could be in affect.  In most states all law enforcement officers have authority within the state for certain crimes, especially felonies. The individual officer could be assigned to a joint detail. The actions of the officer as you describe indicates that there is probably more to the officers actions. I get a sense they may have been looking for him, either on a probation detainer or for some other reason.  You will need to get a look at the court filings through your husbands attorney to see what the entire story is.

Good luck

Robin