The 6 Key Actions to Take When You're Pulled Over By The Police
This is something you'll never get used to. No matter how many
times it happens, each time feels like it's the first. I know
what you're thinking. It is exciting being pulled over by a
police officer, it's dangerous, it's, exhilarating, it's, it's,
you guessed it, it's a ticket. If a police officer wants you to
stop your car, the officer will activate the patrol car's
emergency lights and/or pull up next to you and gesture for you
to pull over. If this happens, carefully slow down and pull over
at the nearest safe location. When you stop, turn on your
emergency flashers, roll down your window and wait for the
officer to approach your vehicle. Don't immediately reach into
your glove compartment, visor or jacket for your license and
registration. He could mistake your movement as an attempt to
find a weapon of some kind. He could shoot you, or even worse,
yell at you. Officers generally want you to keep your hands
where they can see them for their own safety. You should wait
until the officer asks to see your paperwork before you retrieve
the documents. Ask why you were pulled over. Always keep this in
mind: From the moment the officer stops your car, he or she can
record everything you say and use it against you. One of the
first things an officer may say to you is, "Do you know why I
pulled you over?" Admit nothing. Be courteous and be polite.
Don't try to guess why you were pulled over. Allow the officer
time to explain the reason why you were stopped. Provide the
requested documents. When the officer asks for your license and
registration, pull them out slowly and hand them to the officer.
Try not to say anything while the officer is reviewing the
documents. Don't tell the officer you're late for your class or
work because that could be considered a reason for speeding or
aggressive driving. Wait until the officer asks you questions
before you speak. Make sure you always have your driver's
license with you and keep your registration and proof of
insurance in your vehicle at all times otherwise the officer may
give you an additional ticket! Remain calm and quiet. If the
officer leaves you in your car while he or she checks your
information from the patrol car, relax and wait for the officer
to return. Don't preoccupy yourself with finding a radio station
or flipping through documents in your glove compartment, which
might give the officer the impression you aren't taking the
situation seriously. The 10 to 15 minutes it takes to check your
information may seem like an eternity, but it's better for you
in the long run if you just wait patiently for the officer to
return. It shows you respect the officer's authority and
understand that he or she is in charge of the situation. Respond
honestly. The officer may ask you a series of questions about
how fast you were going, where you were going and what you were
doing. Answer any questions you can honestly. You don't want to
provide the officer with any false information at any time. If
you don't know the answer, simply respond, "I don't know." Also
if he or she asks, "Do you know how fast you were going?" Simply
reply, "I'm not sure." Remember to always be polite! If the
officer asks a question you know the answer to but don't want to
reveal because it may be used against you, you do not have to
answer. It may be awkward, but you have the right to tell the
officer you would rather talk to a lawyer about it first or that
you "would rather not discuss it at this time." You're better
off not answering than lying and having the officer use it
against you later. Don't argue with the officer. Avoid arguing
with the officer over why you were stopped. If you don't think
you deserve a ticket, contest it later. The officer will give
you a ticket regardless of what you say, but if you are
argumentative, the officer will have a much better memory of the
incident and will be more likely to aggressively defend his or
her position in court. Don't give the officer any reason to show
up in court and tell the judge you gave him or her a hard time.
It will make the judge much less sympathetic to your case. Take
the ticket and drive away. If the officer writes you a ticket,
accept it quietly. Listen to any further instructions, including
information on how long you have to pay the fine or what you
must do if you want to contest it. In some provinces, you may
have to sign for the ticket to show that you received it. If the
officer just gives you the ticket without explaining what your
rights are (or without requesting your signature in states where
it's required), you may be able to successfully challenge the
ticket. When the policeman has driven away...NOW is the time to
yell, scream or cry!
Submitted by Joe Kahler, author of Out On My Own...Now What?!
Tips and Insights So You're Not Left Hanging in the Real World!
http://www.outonmyown.com/auto.htm