The police can pull over drivers that break the law. If you find yourself in a traffic stop, it helps to know what you should and should not do.
An officer considers your behavior during a roadside stop. You can maintain your rights and still help your cause. Take a look at a few tips you may want to employ during an interaction with the police.
Keep a level head
Getting stopped is not ideal. Whether you believe you committed a traffic infraction or not, try to remain calm in the presence of the police. Raising your voice or becoming aggressive with your tone may lead the officer to believe you are hiding something.
Do not consent to a search
While it is practical to agree to some of the officer’s requests, such as showing your license, you do not have to acquiesce to all. The police may want to search your vehicle, but they need your approval or a warrant. Your refusal does not indicate guilt, just as your consent does not give them a reason to believe you are innocent. As such, you do not have to allow a search if you do not want to.
DUI stop options
The police cannot stop you solely on the suspicion of driving under the influence. If your breath or behavior during a stop gives the officer pause, you may find yourself in a DUI stop. Rather than giving a breath test, you may want to invoke your right to remain silent. Failing to submit to breath or blood tests may result in the loss of your license under the implied consent law; however, a DUI charge may prove harsher.
The police need reasonable suspicion to pull you over. Your behavior at the stop may either halt the suspicion or feed it.
