If you’ve ever been stopped by the cops for anything, you understand what I’m talking about when I call it one of the scarier situations out there. There is a guy holding a gun at your car window who thinks you’ve committed a crime, and if he wants to he can handcuff you and take you to jail. It can be a frightening experience.
But it doesn’t have to be. Thankfully the founders of the country incorporated some outstanding rules in the Constitution which actually give us a lot of power over the police when they stop us. The key, though, is understanding these rules so you can use them when the time arises (I’m a Seattle DUI attorney, so I understand them well – I wish my clients would). Here are three basic rules to follow to help you through your next traffic stop.
First, don’t answer any of the cop’s questions. You don’t have to, it’s not going to help the situation, and it could even hurt the situation. All you are required to do in a traffic stop is give the officer your identification and information about the car so they know it is insured and properly registered. After that, you don’t own the cop squat. So stay quiet, tell them you don’t want to answer their questions, and limit the dumb things that you could say.
Second, when you tell the cop you won’t answer his questions and he gets pissed at you or tries to guilt you into answering his questions, don’t fall for it. As a DUI attorney in Seattle I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the phrase “if you don’t have anything to hide answering my questions shouldn’t be a problem” turn into something bad. Just don’t give in.
Third, when the cops ask you if they can search your car, just say no! They don’t have the right to search your car, and you have the right to be free from unlawful searches. If they search your car without a warrant, they need your consent to do so (most of the time). Don’t make it easy for them by just letting them search all over your car.
I’m a Kirkland DUI attorney. I know how demanding and manipulative the cops can be. But I also know that knowledge is power, and using your brain can have a huge payoff. If you are pulled over by the cops don’t let them walk all over you.
