Update
Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

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]
This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
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.