What To Say When You Get Pulled Over The First Time
A significant thing to remember is that a police officer approaching your vehicle doesn’t know who you are and whether you pose a danger. The truth is police officers get killed during routine traffic stops, so officers will always take the situation seriously as though there is a threat. This article will provide tips that can help you communicate with a police officer, stay safe, and maybe even reduce the chances of getting a traffic ticket or being arrested.
When you get pulled over by police for the first time, don’t lie to the police officer but give short answers to any following questions he or she may ask.
10 Tips For Dealing With The Police When You Get Pulled Over
Let’s review some tips to help you communicate better when a police officer pulls you over.
Before you do anything
When you see the flashing lights from the police car in your rearview mirror, please turn on your emergency flashers to let the officer know you’ve seen his lights.
And before the police officer approaches, slowly pull over, use your turn signal and move to a safe location (parking lots are good examples) on the right side of the road. Then turn off the ignition.
At this point, you can also take out your cell phone to record the following events. Then, you’ll wind down your window, place both hands on top of the steering wheel where the officer can see them, and, if you were pulled over at night, switch on your interior car light.
Slowly move and avoid making any questionable motions, such as reaching under the seat which can give the police officer probable cause to search the vehicle.
Do not start digging into your pockets to find your driver’s license or registration until the police officer asks you to do so. The officer might think you’re about to pull out a gun and may act accordingly.
Cooperate with the police officer
You must always cooperate with any lawful request of the officer. If the officer requests that you provide your name and address, don’t hesitate to give it to the them.
A police officer doesn’t have to tell you the reason for getting you pulled over, at least not immediately. An officer can ask you to come out or remain inside the vehicle.
You should obey the instructions and stay cordial. This situation is one in which being polite doesn’t cost anything.
Allow the officer to do the talking
The officer will first ask you to present your driver’s license and registration. Allow the officer to start talking. Don’t act defensive or hostile. Do not force the officer to tell you the reason for stopping you.
Instead, conside responding with "Of course" or "Sure," and present the documents. If you have to check your pocket, purse, or glove compartment, you can inform the officer that you need to do so and wait for permission.
Most officers are trained to behave as if they might let you go with a verbal warning but on the condition that you cooperate and answer their questions.
The officer may be pretending to be open to hearing all you have to say regarding the events that led to you being asked to pull over to make you say something incriminating. And they can use it against you in a law court if you say something incriminating.
The officer will often try to make you admit that you violated an instruction. For instance, don’t be tempted to apologize in the hopes of being released with a warning.
Saying things like, "Yes, officer, I know I was driving above the speed limit, but I won’t do it next time, I promise," is only an admission of guilt. Sometimes, officers will try to make you admit that you were not paying attention and were unaware that you committed any violation. Avoid doing so.
Do Not Provide Consent to a Search
Don’t agree to a search. The officer may request to search. It’s more difficult to challenge any evidence found in your car if you let the officer search.
And, if the police officer has legal grounds to search your vehicle, he will go ahead and search the car whether you like it or not. Often, officers will ask for your permission to search your vehicle when there are no legitimate reasons to support a search without your consent.
If the officer requests that you step out of the car, the officer can legally pat you down for arms if there’s any cause to believe you pose a threat. If the officer finds any object that looks like a weapon during the pat-down, he can take a more detailed look.
Drunk Driving
Although drinking while driving is a bad idea, you gain nothing by admitting you’ve been drinking. In most states, drivers are free to run field sobriety tests, like walking in a straight line, and won’t get punished for doing so.
But refusing to undergo such a test might make an investigating officer suspect you more and delay a traffic stop. In some states, the prosecutor may tell the jury about a driver’s refusal to cooperate.
Blood tests, breathalyzers, and other chemical tests are a different ball game. Any driver who refuses to perform these tests will automatically lose their driver’s license for up to a year, thanks to the state’s "Implied consent law ."
According to this law, upon getting a driver’s license, every driver has automatically agreed to take any chemical test suggested by a police officer.
Keep your seatbelt on
Don’t unbuckle your seat belt. Ensure it’s strapped on until the officer walks up to the car and sees you wearing it. You wouldn’t want a heavy seatbelt ticket in addition to what you’re getting pulled over for.
This approach is also an effective way to make the officer feel safe. It’s not easy to engage in a physical fight or run away when your seatbelt is strapped across you.
Buckling up immediately after the Officer pulled you over is attracting unnecessary attention and suspicion to yourself. Still, if you weren’t bucked up, leave it that way. As soon the officer is behind you, there’s nothing much you can do.
Wait for Instructions
Don’t get too ahead when talking to the officer in charge. You should stay calm, follow instructions, and don’t speak unless you’re told.
You may want to start with a friendly greeting to make the officer relax off the bat, but after that consider responding only when asked a question.
In most cases, you should remain inside your car after getting pulled over. But if an officer ever asks you to step out of your vehicle, don’t obey immediately, particularly if you’re sure you didn’t do anything wrong.
But don’t react angrily, as it may cause the officer to think you’re on the defensive, so you should politely ask the officer why they want you to step out.
You can wind up your windows and lock the doors as you come out, and then softly but clearly say that you don’t agree to any searches of you or your car. This response reminds him that it’s illegal to search you or your vehicle without your permission or a warrant.
Make the officer comfortable
Police officers frequently get killed during "routine" traffic stops. You may be the most hospitable and harmless, but the police officer doesn’t know you.
An officer must always address every traffic stop the same way, and sadly, to stay safe on the roads, they have to assume the tendency that you could be dangerous by making an officer feel at home and your chances of getting a warning increase. Let’s see some tips below on how to make an officer feel safer during a traffic stop.
Switch off the Engine:
As soon as the officer steps out of the patrol car after getting you to pull over, you should turn of your car engine. This action helps to show the Officer that you have no plans of speeding away.
Turn on the DOME lights inside your car:
The officer will be searching inside your vehicle for arms or other people. If it’s at night that you were stopped, courtesy demands that you turn on your dome light for the officer.
Stay in your car:
Stepping out of your vehicle is an easy way to get a traffic ticket after getting pulled over. Stay in your car unless told otherwise.
Keep both hands on the Wheel:
Officers like it when they can easily see your hands because they know you can’t hurt them with a weapon. Placing both hands on the steering wheel is an excellent way to relax the officer.
Advise Your Intent:
Don’t make any quick movements. If the cop requests your registration, but it’s Inside the glove box, inform the Officer. Don’t rush and start digging around in the glove box. Give the cop a little warning like this "I will need to check the glove compartment, though. Would that be okay?"
Can Police Search My Car or Me During a Traffic Stop?
Generally, police officers who get you to pull over for traffic violations like going above the speed limit are not permitted to search your vehicle. However, several exceptions exist to this general rule. What’s important is that how these exceptions are applied will depend on the laws of your state.
Final thoughts
As soon as the police officer has returned to his patrol car, slowly and carefully go back to the road and continue your journey. If you were arrested or given a ticket, contact a criminal defense attorney or a law firm that handles traffic cases.
An attorney can give you a heads-up on what to expect in court and how to mount a strong defense. If you have been cautious during the traffic stop, you’ll have better chances of defending yourself in court.
