What are my rights when a cop pulls me over?

[Newell Steamer]

Rights?

How about duty?!

It is your duty, as a citizen of the United States of America, to ensure that no one,... and I mean NO ONE, pushes you around for ANY reason.

 

[Murloc]

US cops are shown by news as often not respecting the law, so your rights don't really matter.

If I didn't have anything that can go wrong in the car (i.e. a large stash of money) I would let them search it. I don't feel that a car is any different from a backpack.

 

[jlee]

US cops are shown by news as often not respecting the law, so your rights don't really matter.

If I didn't have anything that can go wrong in the car (i.e. a large stash of money) I would let them search it. I don't feel that a car is any different from a backpack.

Basing your interpretation of US law enforcement on news articles is going to provide you with a gross misrepresentation of reality.

 

[lxskllr]

US cops are shown by news as often not respecting the law, so your rights don't really matter.

If I didn't have anything that can go wrong in the car (i.e. a large stash of money) I would let them search it. I don't feel that a car is any different from a backpack.

Never, ever consent to a search. They also can't detain you to wait for dogs without probable cause. Assert your rights, or lose them by default. If my rights are gonna be violated, they'll have to work for them.

 

[angminas]

Only once in my life have I had an encounter with a LEO where the person wasn't polite, respectful, and efficient. Even the time where I pulled into the wrong lane and almost rammed a cop car head on, I didn't get a ticket. Being a white male doesn't hurt, but white males get tickets too. The way you treat the LEO makes a big difference.

 

[DrunkenSano]

You have the right to not be an idiot.

 

[Bird222]

It sounds like you're looking for an excuse to "make a statement" by asserting your rights to the letter of the law.

Just like the idiots who open-carry AR-15's to "make a statement."

I wouldn't recommend it, but it's your life.

Wrong, I am not looking to make a statement but I don't really know and I think a lot of other people don't know their rights either.

 

[wabbitslayer]

I think this could be a meaningful discussion. One thing I want to know is do I have to get out of my car if I am not under arrest?

Yes. It is called obeying the lawful command(s) of a law enforcement officer.

However, cop will probably not ask you to get out of the car if you:

pull completely off the road so he isn't standing in the road beside your car where he is likely to get hit by a passing car;

roll all windows down and shut car off;

keep both hands on the top of the wheel with fingers extended so he/she can see you aren't holding anything;

be extremely polite/cordial;

when they ask for license/registration/insurance info, tell the cop "yes sir, it is in my wallet in my right rear pocket, i am going to retrieve it with my right hand" or whatever tells the cop where you are getting the item from and how you are going to do it;

Of course, "exercising your rights" doesn't require you to do any of this (except pull over and provide requested information) but do you want to "exercise your rights" or do you want to resolve the situation without gettting a ticket/arrested/tased/found dead in jail?

 

[TwiceOver]

Yes. It is called obeying the lawful command(s) of a law enforcement officer.

However, cop will probably not ask you to get out of the car if you:

pull completely off the road so he isn't standing in the road beside your car where he is likely to get hit by a passing car;

roll all windows down and shut car off;

keep both hands on the top of the wheel with fingers extended so he/she can see you aren't holding anything;

be extremely polite/cordial;

when they ask for license/registration/insurance info, tell the cop "yes sir, it is in my wallet in my right rear pocket, i am going to retrieve it with my right hand" or whatever tells the cop where you are getting the item from and how you are going to do it;

Of course, "exercising your rights" doesn't require you to do any of this (except pull over and provide requested information) but do you want to "exercise your rights" or do you want to resolve the situation without gettting a ticket/arrested/tased/found dead in jail?

The last time I got pulled over I had my family with and I got pulled over for 78 in a 60. I was passing on a 2-lane highway. The above quote is my standard for the few times I have gotten pulled over. When asked if I knew why I was getting pulled over I flat out said I was going too fast and I knew it. There's no reason to lie. I was cordial to the officer and even answered questions that I knew I didn't have to ie "Where are you headed today / from where".

18mph over in a different state is an easy ticket to write because he knew I wasn't going to drive 4 hours to contest it. Let off with just a warning to slow down. Because I wasn't a dick.