Getting pulled over: Know your rights

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A lot of people panic when they are pulled over by law enforcement.  Even if they are innocent, the fact that they got pulled over gives them a reason to think otherwise.  Not knowing how to handle such situations can easily make things worse for drivers. To prevent your rights from being abused during routine stops, here are some facts you need to know about your rights when getting pulled over.

If a police car signals you to pull over, obey promptly.  Turn your turn signal on and slowly come to a stop at the shoulder of the road.  Once your car is parked, roll down your windows, turn off your radio, and wait for the officer.

Before anything else, a driver has every right to know why they had been pulled over.  This is called probable cause.  Without probable cause, officers have no right to pull over any vehicle.  This can include anything from a busted tail light to speeding, or if you or your car matches a description reported on the police dispatch.

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Prepare the necessary documents routinely asked by policemen during stops.  This includes your driver’s license, registration, proof of insurance, or proof of ownership.  If an officer asks for any of these documents, ask for permission to reach for them wherever they are.

When the officer asks you to step out of the car, know that they do this for their own safety.  Also know that you can refuse to do so, but this can result in the escalation of the problem.  You should also refuse to give an officer consent to search your car.

Founder and Managing Partner of the Manhattan-based Law Offices of Tacopina & Seigel,Joe Tacopina is a highly lauded defense lawyer and businessman. To learn more about the law, visit this blog.