If you’re driving in Southern Maryland — whether in Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert, or St. Mary’s County — you may wonder: can a cop from another county pull you over? The short answer is: sometimes. But the full picture under Maryland law is more complicated, and understanding it can protect your rights if you’re ever stopped on the road.
What Maryland Law Says About Jurisdiction
Under Maryland Criminal Procedure Code § 2-102, a police officer may enforce laws across the state “without limitations as to jurisdiction.” However, that authority does not allow an officer to enforce the Maryland Vehicle Law — meaning traffic stops and citations — outside the area where they are sworn in, unless there’s a special agreement in place.
That means a county or municipal officer generally cannot issue traffic citations in another county unless one of a few legal exceptions applies. For instance, a Charles County officer can’t normally stop a driver in Calvert County for a simple speeding violation unless they are part of an authorized joint operation or acting under special circumstances.
Key Exceptions to the Rule
There are several important situations where an officer from another county may legally stop you:
- Fresh pursuit: An officer can pursue a suspect who committed a crime in their jurisdiction — including certain misdemeanors or felonies — and cross county lines to make the stop or arrest.
- Mutual aid or joint investigations: Counties sometimes have mutual aid agreements that allow officers to assist each other in investigations or emergencies outside their normal jurisdiction.
- Emergencies: If a crime or public safety threat occurs nearby, officers may act outside their jurisdiction to protect the public until local authorities arrive.
- Statewide officers: Members of agencies such as the Maryland State Police have full statewide authority. They can make traffic stops or arrests anywhere in Maryland.
What This Means for Drivers in Southern Maryland
For drivers in Southern Maryland, here’s what this means in real-world terms:
- If you’re pulled over by a county or city officer from another county for a simple traffic violation, and there’s no fresh pursuit or mutual aid agreement, the officer may not have legal authority to make that stop.
- If the officer works for a state agency, such as the Maryland State Police or the Natural Resources Police, they do have statewide authority.
- If the stop happens right after a criminal offense or as part of a multi-agency investigation, the stop is likely valid under Maryland law.
Even if the stop appears legal, there may still be issues with probable cause or procedure that a defense attorney can challenge in court.
Why Jurisdiction Matters
Whether an officer has authority to stop you can affect your case in several ways:
- The validity of your citation or arrest
- The admissibility of any evidence collected during the stop
- Which court will handle your case
- Potential defenses available to your attorney
Maryland’s appellate courts have recognized that county police cannot automatically enforce traffic laws beyond their jurisdiction. That’s why it’s essential to understand which agency made the stop and where it occurred.
What to Do If You’re Stopped by an Out-of-County Officer
- Stay calm and comply. Always pull over safely and follow lawful instructions. Resisting or arguing at the scene can make things worse.
- Ask politely. You can ask which department the officer represents and confirm your location. This information may matter later.
- Take notes. Record details like time, location, reason for the stop, and the officer’s name or badge number.
- Preserve documents. Keep your citation, photos, or any dashcam footage.
- Talk to a defense lawyer. A criminal defense attorney familiar with Southern Maryland courts can review whether the stop was lawful and identify possible defenses.
Final Thoughts
So, can a cop from another county pull you over? In Maryland, yes — but only under specific conditions. Unless the officer is part of a mutual aid agreement, acting in fresh pursuit, or has statewide authority, their ability to issue a traffic citation outside their home jurisdiction is limited.
If you’ve been stopped by an out-of-county officer and believe your rights were violated, it’s important to speak with an experienced local attorney. At Southern Maryland Criminal Defense, we help drivers across Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties challenge unlawful stops and protect their records.
