OK, you just saw the lights flashing in your rear view mirror and are looking for a place to pull over. Your heart is pounding and you may or may not have any idea why of all the people on the road, YOU are the one getting stopped by the policeman. No worries! You're entering a process open for negotiation that may mean you get off without getting the "keeper" ticket cops hand out.
1. First off--do you know why you're being stopped? Most people do and an experienced police officer knows it. Were you racing down a neighborhood street late for work and got tagged? If so, to lie to the policeman is an easy way to get a ticket. I never advocate lying. It's demeaning and most people are poor liers. Cops deal with people who traditionally lie anyway and can spot a fibber from across the street. If you know why you're being stopped and the offense isn't too serious, you could come out smelling like a rose.
2. When the police officer walks up to your car, he or she has generally already run a vehicle registration check and knows if your tags are expired. He also knows who the registered owner is and if the plates match the car its attached to. Any deviance will require an explanation.
But the officer generally won't know who the driver is. That's why they always ask for the driver’s license or other identification. They can do this legally. There's no point arguing about handing over your ID. Keep your hands in plain sight, remember there are also those whom the officer stops who REALLY have something to hide and can be dangerous. Keeping your hands in plain sight tells the officer that it's safe and you are aware of his concerns for safety.
3. When the officer talks to you, the first thing he'll tell you is why he pulled you over. Sometimes the traffic stop will be for a low tire or a missing license plate or even leaving a purse on top of the car. But mainly he'll inform you that you were speeding or have a broken taillight or made an illegal turn. Either way, you'll find out immediately the purpose of the stop.
If the officer asks you why you were stopped, GIVE NO INCRIMINATING STATEMENT! For example: "Do you know why I've pulled you over"? Driver: "It must have been because I was speeding" Officer: "And do you know how fast you were going"? Driver: "I think I was going 45 miles an hour in the 25 mile an hour zone". If you have admitted to the violation, just go in and pay the ticket, it's over.
Instead, when the officer asks if you know why you're being stopped, just give a neutral response such as "I'm not certain", or "No, I don't know why". The reason the officer pulled you over may not be the reason you THINK you're being stopped. If you make an incriminating statement, the officer will record your statement and it WILL be used against you if you decide to fight the ticket.
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About Me
- Ron's Bio
- Ron Rook is a retired Deputy Sheriff who spent nearly twenty years in law enforcement in Utah. First starting out as a patrolman, traffic investigator, and finally detective supervisor, Ron has had his hands in nearly all aspects of police work. The advice he gives is learned not by receiving tickets but by giving tickets. Contrary to the many websites out there on how to beat a ticket, Ron's insights try to make the driver safer and less a hazard on the road in the future.
Disclaimer
The purpose of this site is not to give legal advice or to convince readers to conduct themselves in any way seen to be deceptive or dishonest. The author, a retired deputy sheriff makes no claim of up-to-date knowledge of legal and court procedures or upkeep with current laws and ordinances. The main purpose of this site is to provide advice to readers about traffic tickets and how best to conduct themselves in such a way as to favorably cast the outcome to the drivers' advantage