Being pulled over by the police is a difficult experience. Many people aren’t sure exactly what they should do if this happens. You can’t be unprepared for this. Instead, you need to be ready to do things in an appropriate manner during the traffic stop.
One of the most important things to remember is that you shouldn’t ever get out of the vehicle unless the officer tells you to. Police officers often think that people who try to get out of the vehicle are doing so to either run from them or to fight them.
Another point to remember is not to reach for anything. The officer will come to your window and talk to you. When they ask to see your documentation, make sure you make it clear where you will reach to get it. They need to know that you aren’t trying to reach for a weapon.
Keeping your hands in plain view helps you in another way to protect your rights. If the officer thinks that you are reaching for something to try to hide it, that gives them the right to search your vehicle. If you have anything that you shouldn’t in the vehicle, you have to be very careful if you are stopped.
Of course, if the item, such as a bag of drugs is in plain sight, the officer will likely see it. This will probably lead to you being arrested. Remember your rights if this happens. Any statements you make can be used in a criminal case against you, so it is usually best to remain silent until your attorney is with you.
Your actions during the traffic stop and afterward might be important for the case. The same is true of the officer’s actions. Be sure to tell your attorney everything you can remember, so they can determine what to include in your defense strategy.