It’s perfectly normal to feel stressed at the thought of getting pulled over by the police. Just the sight of flashing blue lights behind you can cause your anxiety levels to soar. It’s important to know how to handle this situation so the interaction goes smoothly and safely while ensuring that your rights are protected and you’re not unnecessarily incriminating yourself.
Take the following steps when you’re pulled over by police:
1. Pull over promptly and safely.
Use your turn signal and pull over to the right as soon as it’s safe to do so. Move as far to the right as you can before coming to a complete stop so the officer will be farther away from traffic when approaching your window. If you don’t immediately have a safe location to pull over, put your hazard lights on to let the officer know you’ve seen them and are preparing to stop. You can then proceed to a safe, well-lit area to pull over and turn your engine off.
2. Follow the officer’s instructions.
After you’ve pulled over, roll your window down all the way, turn on your interior light if it’s dark, and put both hands on your steering wheel. Wait for further instructions from the officer, staying in the car unless you’re told otherwise. You’ll need your driver’s license and registration, but wait until the officer asks you to retrieve them. If you unexpectedly reach inside your glove compartment or purse, the officer may think you could be reaching for a gun. If you have a weapon in the car, let the officer know its location and ask if it’s still okay to reach for the requested documents.
3. Be polite and don’t offer unnecessary information.
Stay calm and be polite when speaking with the officer. Don’t argue, as you’ll risk escalating the situation and face additional charges such as obstructing a police officer. In general, let the officer do the talking and respond politely when appropriate. Don’t offer information you weren’t asked for or apologize, since you could inadvertently incriminate yourself. If the officer asks if you know why you were pulled over, don’t admit to any wrongdoing.
4. Understand your Fourth Amendment rights.
An officer generally has to have probable cause to search your vehicle. So, for example, if they spot drug paraphernalia inside your car while speaking to you, they can legally search your car. If, however, you’re asked for permission to search your vehicle, you have the right to say no. If the officer insists, don’t argue. If an illegal search is conducted, evidence obtained as a result of that search won’t be admissible in court.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been pulled over by police and/or charged with a crime, contact a criminal defense attorney in your state for help. Although the above tips can often help a traffic stop proceed more smoothly, you’ll sometimes need the help of an attorney to ensure your rights are protected.