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Know Your Rights: Traffic Stops

When you're pulled over by police during a traffic stop, the officer will you usually ask you "Do you know why I pulled you over?" That's basically the same as asking you "Do you know why you're guilty?" The sensible thing to do would be to not answer the question or to simply ask them why they pulled you over, even if you know why they did.

Another common question they may ask is "Do you know how fast you were going?" Again, a potentially incriminating question. The sensible response to that would be to say "Yes." If they ask you how fast you were going, say you do not wish to answer; that you're just invoking your right to silence.

You're not under any obligation to answer questions from police officers, especially if the questions involve you acting as a witness against yourself. I'll go more into officer questions on another post, but when it comes to traffic stops, these are some basic things you ought to remember in the event you get pulled over by a cop.

Always know your rights!

[i]Disclaimer: I am not an attorney, this is just something I'm posting for informative purposes. Most of it is ripped from a segment of the same name on my sister's podcast, so credit to her for giving me something to post about here.[/i]
TexChik · F
You are being recorded on their body cam as they question you. Every state is a little different on that procedure . In Texas , unless you have committed an egregious violation and you happen to have a “ good guy “ card , they will give you a warning . The good guy card is a concealed carry permit . It indicates you have passed an extensive FBI back ground check and have training . Not all officers give you a pass with that , but so far they have me . Not saying anything is the correct thing to do if you plan on going to court and fighting the ticket .
4meAndyou · F
In my experience, of having been stopped MANY times, I am always honest. Usually, if I am speeding, it's because I haven't looked at the speedometer...and I am just driving the same speed as the person in front of me.

So to that question I always say no, I don't know how fast I was going. Because I don't often pay attention on the highway. And the officer will then TELL me how fast I was going. Once in a great while, I'll look down and go into shock. I guess I have a lead foot.

I am always genuinely sorry if I have been speeding. I seldom get tickets in my home state, but I got two within 6 months when I lived in Lansing, once for going 5 miles over the limit, and another time when the speed reduction sign was covered by a tree branch.

They raise their funds for the city by deliberately hanging out in places where they know people don't see the speed change, and if you have out of state plates forget it...you might as well drive up to the court house and just pay in advance.
SinlessOnslaught · 26-30, M
Those questions are tricky because if you say "yes", you're incriminating yourself. If you say "no", you're showing a lack of attentiveness at the wheel.

I wouldn't ask why they pulled me over because it could also be seen as a way of saying "No, I wasn't paying attention to how I drive".

Just politely invoke your 5th amendment right.

Idk why some cops have to play those games, though, unless they're pulling over a felon. 🙄
Ducky · 31-35, F
@SinlessOnslaught It's not incriminating to answer "yes" to being asked how fast you were going. Whether or not an officer perceives you asking why you were pulled over as you not paying attention is irrelevant. Inquiring why you were pulled over is a valid question. But simply remaining silent through the whole interaction is very much another option.
MaryJanine · 61-69, F
@Ducky The one I witnessed was a Black teenager on a bike. The cop grabbed the handlebars as he tried to slip through and began to yell two-forty.
MaryJanine · 61-69, F
Years ago, my younger brother and I were exiting the end of a Cubs game. Almost directly in front of us, a policeman was directing rushour traffic. He grabbed a black teenager on a bike who was trying to sneak through and started to yell at him. There was so much noise, I only caught a few words, but the cop was livid.

"Did you heard what I SAID?" he yelled for the second time.

"Yeah - I gotcha, man," muttered the kid.

"I ain't your man!" yelled the cop. "I am Officer So-And-So - "

At that point, the bus showed up. Never knew the outcome - it didn't make the news.
MasterLee · 56-60, M
Mind if I search your vehicle?
SteelHands · 61-69, M
@MasterLee You won't find your mom's pantys in here, she doesn't wear any. Lol
MasterLee · 56-60, M
SteelHands · 61-69, M
Avoiding a pull over is easiest by keeping the speed limit and having a good driving record.

Because once you have that first ticket anything after that is going to stick no matter what you say or don't say.
MellyMel22 · F
[i][c=BF0080]The last time I said I don’t know, I got yelled at for not showing him a fam detective thing he accidentally saw after 🤣 [/c][/i]
Ducky · 31-35, F
@MellyMel22 A fam detective thing? 🤔
MellyMel22 · F
@Ducky [i][c=BF0080]It’s like a medal thing letting them know you have family in nypd who are pretty much vouching you’re not trouble I guess? They tend to be a bit more lenient. He told me he wouldn’t had written me a ticket and I told him I didn’t wanna act like an entitled brat showing it. [/c][/i]
Ducky · 31-35, F
@MellyMel22 Oh, I see. Interesting. 🕵️‍♂️
Keepitsimple · 51-55, F
I always just answer. I haven’t been pulled over in 20 years but I’ll just say I was doing 85, the truth. No sense trying to bullshit my way out of it. I was bad 🤷🏻‍♀️
Ducky · 31-35, F
@Keepitsimple Not encouraging anyone to bullshit, just encouraging people to practice their rights.
bellybuttonfan17 · 36-40, M
Holy wow. Can't believe I only saw this today... Guess that shows how out of SW I have been! Welcome back. Glad to know you're alive n well. Those were a few anxious scary months.
Penny · 46-50, F
the truth is always the best policy imo. no wheedling answers are going to get you out of a ticket
Ducky · 31-35, F
@Penny Whether you’re guilty or not, I believe it’s always important to know and invoke your rights. My sister was pulled over during an invalid traffic stop not too long ago and her knowing her rights likely saved her from getting cited.
Beatbox34 · 31-35, M
Damn. Wish I could try this over here.
MaryJanine · 61-69, F
@Beatbox34 Come to Chicago and drive Lake Shore Drive. You get all sorts of things over there. Especially during the summer season.
Beatbox34 · 31-35, M
@MaryJanine Interesting.

In India, you'll be stopped for anything and everything. The gines have gotten exorbitant and you'll be forced to pay a bribe to be let go. At least that has happened to me.

 
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