Helpful tips when pulled over

     This guide will give you some helpful tips on how to behave during the nerve wracking experience of being pulled over. This guide will also help you ease the police officers nerves. As you've probably seen on the news many times, a routine traffic stop can become deadly in a blink of an eye.


If You See Lights, Pull to the Right
      When you see police lights behind you, pull to the right lane. If the lights follow you, you're being pulled over. Immediately and as safely as possible, pull your car over to the furthest right lane. Pull the vehicle over as far as you can, as to ensure the police officers safety.


Keep Your Hands Visible & Do Not Make Sudden Movements
     Once pulled over, the officer will more than likely approach the driver's side window. If the officer has a partner, he may approach the passenger side. You should keep your hands on the steering wheel until the officer instructs you to do something. If there are passengers in the vehicle, the front passenger should put his hands on the dash and the rear passenger(s) should hold the front headrests. This puts the officer(s) at ease, if they can see your hands, they know there isn't a gun in them. Do not move your hands until the officer(s) instructs you to do something.


Follow Police Commands & Announce All Movement
    Do not make any movements until the officer instructs you to do so. Tell the officer where you are reaching to and what you are reaching for. For example, if the officers asks you for you license and registration, tell the officer "I am reaching into my back pocket for my license" or "I am reaching into my glove box for my registration" etc. Keep your hands as visible as possible while you follow the officers instruction. Do not question the officer why he pulled you over. Let the officer do as much of the talking as possible.


Again Do Not Ask the Officer Why he Pulled You Over
    At this point, you will want to let the officer do most of the talking. DO NOT ask why you were pulled over, the officer will tell you why you were pulled over. If the officer asks you a question, say as little as possible, try to play dumb if you can. For example, if the officer asks if you know how fast you were going, reply by saying "I'm not sure officer, my eyes were on the road". If the officer asks if you've been drinking say "no'" if you say yes, even if you said "I had 1 beer'" this will always lead to a sobriety test.


DO NOT LET THE OFFICER SEARCH YOUR VEHICLE
    If the police officer asks you if he can search your vehicle. Respectfully respond by saying "While im not trying to hide anything officer, I would like to exercise my right not to allow you to search my vehicle without a warrant." Now, police officers can be sneaky when they ask for permission to search your vehicle. They may ask "Do you mind if we search your vehicle," if you answer no, you just agreed to allowing them to search. So be careful and listen to what the officer is asking you. The best answer is the one provided above. If the officer insists, you should insist on them getting a warrant.


Exiting the Vehicle & Sobriety Test
    If a police officer asks you to exit the vehicle, turn off your car, put your keys in your pocket, then slowly exit the vehicle and lock it shut. If the officer wants to conduct a sobriety test, listen and watch the officers instruction and follow them to the best of your ability. If they ask you to take a breathalyzer test, UNLESS you're totally drunk, DO NOT refuse to take the test. If you refuse, you will automatically receive a 1 year statutory suspension of your license. Even if you aren't drunk or you beat your drunk driving case, you will still receive a 1 year statutory suspension of your license.


These Tips MAY and I Stress May Improve Your Odds
    During a Traffic Stop Unless it is a possible DUI situation. these tips will put the officer at ease, which MAY, and I stress MAY lead to the officer going easy on you and PERHAPS let you off with a warning. So long as you are respectful and follow these basic tips, you improve your chances of dodging a ticket. Now this is not always the case, but following these tips will not hurt your chance of getting some leneancy from the police officer.

More helpful legal advice to come.