I was pulled over last year for failure to stop. The officer never ask me a question. It was just "I pulled you over for failure to stop, show me your DL" and so on. So I never said a word. When we went to court the DA had no video of the stop just audio. My attorney got the recording thrown out because they could not prove I was even their when the recording was made. We won the case. Only because I did not say anything.
This is important, there can be evidence that both officers and prosecutors will hide. I got stopped by a Deputy Sheriff who said he clocked me on radar at 75mph in a 55. I was on cruise control and started down an unfamiliar very steep hill that had no warning signs and this chicken deputy was running radar on the cars coming down the hill. However I had been watching my speedometer to discern if I needed to start braking and I never got over 65. I took it to court and sat with prosecutor to watch his dash cam. Radar locked on 65, not 75. He clearly perjured himself filing an official citation. Then I set it for a jury trial and said I wanted his witness subpoenaed. “What witness?” _The brunette female rider he had in his car!”_ They knew the clock didn’t match the ticket but were willing to try me anyway. They dismissed the ticket and I went to Internal Affairs to file a complaint of perjury but they refused. _We have a strict policy, we do not investigate traffic stops_ , not even as a courtesy for a former police officer. So he got away with that and who knows how many others. I don’t trust the local sheriff’s deputies. I still ride with my Austin guys, well, before Covid.
@@PaulDo22 I've lucked out almost every (all three) times I've taken a traffic citation to court, cuz the officer didn't come. They'll show if it's their day off cuz they want that OT. But if they're on duty, it's such a headache to get out of your assignment to go to court, that they don't bother unless it's a major crime, or they're subpoenaed .
I've been asked the, "Do you know why I pulled you over?" question and the answer I give is a brief "No!". Totally disarms the officer. So, people say, "You probably lied to the officer, you knew why!" to which my response is that I can't read the officer's mind so no, I don't know. Do not elaborate! Do not explain! Just say no!
Spot on. Maybe your tail light is out. Maybe he noticed that and didn't even check his radar gun before pulling you over. Or maybe there was a nearby bank robbery and the getaway car resembles your own. Or maybe the cop pulled you over for exactly what you SUSPECT he pulled you over for. But you can't KNOW his reason until he tells you.
The real answer to "do you know why I pulled you over?" is very often that the cop didn't like the color of your skin so its not like they are looking for an honest answer anyway lol.
For that last one, we gotta be careful about how they ask the question as well, if they say "do you mind if I search your vehicle?" That's a double ended question, if you answer with just yes, they'll take it as yes they can search, if you answer no, they'll take it as "no I don't mind" and search anyways, best answer I heard for that is "I do not consent to an unwarranted search"
@@robt8042 As far as I know, it is not required in most states but you should state affirmatively that you do not consent and say nothing else. There is no confusion that statement. As for questions, it's okay to say you invoke your right to remain silent. The less you say the better. Officers must have cause before your stop and not be looking for it after you've been stopped.
"Do you mind..." and "May I..." Are two different questions. One implies the cop is interested in my feelings. The other is asking my permission. "I do not consent" is always a good answer. I'm retired now, so I have no problem with them wasting their time by bringing in a dog to sniff around my vehicle.
How ever as an average looking white looking guy which I'm not. I mean sure, great advice to have an easy win case in court. After they've slapped on the cuffs for general noncompliance in cop principle, towed your luxury car to the sleeziest state police, legalized piracy low life tow scum lot 3 blocks from scene that'll cos t you royally, booked finger printed, None of which these lawyers tell.Yal They live in a different privileged alternate universe. For You. It's a financial shit show only the wealthy can afford to play and mite for the right price, no guarantees guaranteed have a shot. But a mite lives on a chickens ass. All legal by design. Revenue. ............... That's just the ordurve. 💩 Great in theroy, fantasy siruationaly. If your really not doing anything or shady in nature, compliance, Always privaled with me. Cited or not. Will always go better. Most cops are honest n cool. I live in that corridor. Once you get to Fairfax or Dc, 75% chance getting pulled over won't go well. Compliance or not. Quotas, yes it's obvious. Revenue, county budget Nazi's. The courts especially. Don't expect a break. To a point, the intro question is great tho, your only real time chance to legally play dumb. Goid advice.
If a police officer initiates a contact with a citizen & there is no reasonable expectation the citizen will suddenly use their cell phone as a weapon (while citizen is involved in getting & activateing cell phone to record the contact, citizen informs the officer the cell phone is being activated to record the contact AND the citizen specifies their intentions to cooperate with the officer) does the officer reserve the right/authorization ect to ensure the recording of the incident does not occur ?
@@usspaul9422 A very reasonable question i'd like to hear an expert opine on myself. There have been HUGE changes in technology & society since I started my hometown's all volunteer Aux Police unit way back in 1984 (I left after 2-3 yrs, not long after finishing college) ... the internet, cell phones, and now smart/camera phones, have all arrived and become omnipresent. Atop that, we now have social media and a 24hr global news cycle, the ability of things going viral within mere hours, and sometimes resulting in firings, resignations, or even arrests. I'd love to know the best current etiquitte to follow, from both sides of such a query.
Even when you know your car is 100% clean ....... And then when the officer plants something, you're screwed. While it's certainly very rare, it happens JUST OFTEN enough to be wary, because the officers that do it probably won't be caught until years down the road, after your life has already been trashed. Plenty of News stories to verify this.
Or, they find cotton candy, and say it's crack, and you spend 90 days in jail on a million dollars bond, until the state lab tests it and determines that it is indeed cotton candy.
Damn right. You have a baggie with a controlled substance in your pocket. Oh yes you do. Here in Montgomery county Illinois, deputy Fred Cole got busted for growing pot for the purpose of planting it on people.
On an episode of COPS, an officer stopped a group of teens he suspected of something or other. He had everybody take a seat on the curb, and the ones with backpacks, he had them take them off, and he moved them four or five feet back behind each person, out of their reach. With the last backpack in his hands, he asked that kid "do you have any weapons or drugs in here?" Kid says "no sir". Officer says "Well you don't mind if I go ahead and check, do you?" Kid says "actually, sir, I DO mind." Officer Incredulous says "EXCUSE ME? What do you MEAN, you do mind?" And this kid says "Sir, you asked for my consent to search my bag, and I'm saying no. If you have probable cause or whatever, then I guess you're probably going to search it anyway, but I do NOT consent." The officer just stared at him, and then set the bag down with the others, and didn't ask anyone else for consent to search. ATTABOY KID. And now that I think about it, attaboy officer too!
Thanks for all the info. I was pulled over in NC years ago and consented to a search of my van. Worst mistake of my life. They detained me for a couple hours and put me in the back of the patrol car with my dog. Then they did not give me my license back. I am the most silent person if I encounter anyone of authority now. There is another incident that caused me to have little faith in the process of the courts.
Why didn’t they give you back your drivers license? Oh and what a horrible disgusting human beings that should never have been given the authority over others.
I wonder if they locked you in the squad car so you couldn't withdraw consent. I could be wrong, but I think if a person consents to a search, they can withdraw consent to stop the search at any time. However, consent has to be withdrawn before the police find anything incriminating or before the police plant incriminating evidence that wasn't there before.
Even if you had said NO to a search, if the cops were initially suspicious, they would have become even MORE suspicious and would have searched your vehicle anyway.
I did MP duty in the Military. The joke of "only two beers" comes from the drunk remembering the "First" beer and the "Last" beer. A total of two beers.
Actually, it comes from high school health class where we learned that depending on your gender, weight and stomach contents, two beers drunk in succession will raise your BA to the .04-.06 level, and that third beer is the one that can get you close to or over .08.
We don't have Constitutional rights. We have natural rights that the Constitution (allegedly) protects. To say they're Constitutional rights is to say your rights come from government, but rights preexist and outrank and overrule governments and laws. The Founding Fathers called them unalienable rights. Do you know what that means? It means that you have the right to do something. If the law says you can't do it, you still have the right to do it. If the government says you can't do it, you still have the right to do it. It means that nothing anybody in this world says or does can ever take away your right to do it. Rights can never be taken. They can only ever be given up of your own free will.
@@jeremyallen9624 no, you fail to understand that governments exist and they make laws. You follow the laws or you get arrested... pretty simple stuff. You want anarchy go live on a deserted island.
I’ve found from personal experience to answer questions as far as I need to. Be polite but vague. Then ask them questions. Where are you coming from? Lunch. Where was lunch? Sorry officer, I don’t see how any of this is relevant to why I was pulled over. The few times I’ve remained silent or said I didn’t want to answer always got me a ticket. Being polite, yet vague has gotten me out of a few.
@@TheBowen747 its also the changes that were made in the Regan Era under the war on drugs. It completely changed societal norms around even soft drugs like cannabis.
@@private2809 And some people think Reagan was a good guy. Put more people in jail for weed than ever. The media says he was a hero, so he must be. He played a few.
Maybe. The cops only motivation is to issue a citation to generate revenue for the municipality. You might get the ticket no matter what you say. The cop may also let you go no matter what you say. When in doubt say nothing other than true, correct, and factual information and then only to questions which pertain to the incident.
@@dingusdingus2152 That's an asinine way of policing a neighborhood, I was just having a discussion about that the other day. It's one of the many reasons I believe, that plays into corruption within the force when they have to meet certain quotas in order to be deemed affective. They'll pin anything on anyone no matter how minor or insignificant and use flowery wording to trap people all to get that extra arrest or ticket out. They might as well be salesmen, trying to sell lies to the innocent that they've broken a law and to their superiors that a crime has been committed.
THIS. Lie to them and tell them what they want to hear. No reason not to lie to the cops to protect yourself if at all possible. They will lie to you all they can to get what they want. Play the game.
When my son was a baby, I had to work late one night. We had been having issues with an obsessed guy. My wife called sounding panicked and said I needed to get home, someone had been beating the door and trying to open the window. I could hear a ruckus in the background before the phone cut off and I couldn't get back through. I called the cops and left work, going about 100mph on the interstate. It was about a 30 mile drive home. It was around midnight and the interstate was 4 lanes per side and hardly any cars were out. I blew past a cop and saw the blue lights, I pulled straight over thinking her would hear what was going on and maybe even escort me part way. Instead, there was a long winded egotistical rant. He radioed and confirmed that I had made a 911 call to my home over a suspected break in taking place. instead of letting me go, the jerk pulled me out of the car searched me, cuffed me, said "I should haul you ass to jail" and kept ranting. In the end I spent 45 minutes on the side of the road being berated by a crazy cop while I had no idea if my wife and infant child were being attacked or worse. In the end, he "cut me a break" and "only" wrote me a ticket. By the time I got home, the man had been arrested and my wife and 2 officers were in the house filling out a report. It still haunts me that I wasn't there during that situation and I really wish nothing but the worst on that prick cop that got his rocks off screwing with me. In the end, I had to do an 8 hour defensive driving class to get it off my record.
They want to "search" your car so they can plant evidence. When the police pull someone over for a traffic violation it should go no further than that; PERIOD. Anything over and above that is dishonest policing. david
@@johnhumphrey9953 I'm skeptical. I'm not saying it's never happened before.... But how exactly was it "all caught on tape"? And what was supposedly planted? I mean...aside from the officer leaving his body cam/dash cam on and being stupid enough to SHOW himself planting it, how else could it ALL actually be caught on tape?? Did it happen in the brightly lit parking lot of a gas station?
I'd like to add another reason for why you should never allow your vehicle to be searched. Years ago I knew one of my county's fleet mechanics whose job it was to search vehicles for hidden compartments used to transport drugs or, more appealing due to asset forfeiture laws, cash. From him I learned that if you consent to a vehicle search, that search may not be limited to the contents of the vehicle, they then have the right to literally take the vehicle apart on the side of the road (such compartments can be hidden in wheel wells and behind the dashboard). However, should they not find anything, law enforcement is under no obligation to put your vehicle back together, they can literally leave your vehicle in pieces. At that point it's up to you to pay for a tow and to have a mechanic put your vehicle back together. This apparently happens quite often. It's very apparent that they go to this much effort to search a vehicle only when they're sure there's something to be found, so law enforcement officers can be resentful when they don't find anything. Apparently law enforcement officers tend to regard leaving a vehicle in pieces as just punishment for the vehicle driver 'getting away with it'. NEVER give them permission to search your vehicle!
When I was a kid I used to think if I hadn't done anything wrong, I would answer all questions, and allow the police to "look over" my car or even home. But as the years went by, I saw how common it is for an ordinary citizen to be railroaded. That's not to mention the times you hear about a "bad cop" who outright plants evidence. There was also the time I was stopped by a cop about "running a stop sign," I literally said, "I'm sorry! I thought I had waited long enough to go." The officer wrote down what I had said, and so there was "my confession" in writing, which would make it hard to get out of that ticket. That's it, the last straw. From then on I knew to just be quiet upon questioning.
Back in the mid 80s my dad was rushing me to the hospital in the middle of the night because I was having a severe asthma attack. This was in rural Indiana and the hospital was 30 miles away on two lane highways and through small towns. In one of the towns my dad got pulled over. The stop took about 45 seconds. The asked my dad why he was speeding and my dad told him. Then he told the cop "here's my license, if you want to write me a ticket I'll pick it up on my way home." The cop shined his flashlight on me then told my dad he'd radio ahead and to drive carefully.
I wish there was some way to indicate a medical emergency situation through a government website, which the officers could pick up through your license plate and thus not stop you. I guess the problem is people are assholes and would use it as an excuse to speed.
@@nahor88 Probably, but if law enforcement could probably find a way to make it work if they really tried or cared, such, I dunno, escorting you to your emergency destination. I mean you’re going to have to stop eventually even if it’s because of a lack of fuel. And if you weren’t actually faking the medical emergency and thus you wouldn’t be trying to escape from them they’d be able to keep pace with you and verify it at the hospital.
@@nahor88 It was also just be another way for technology to be used to gather info and add more bureaucracy to an already overloaded system. Maybe thinking ahead and have a placard made with a suction cup that you can keep in your car for emergencies (especially if you are a caregiver) that says something like "Emergency: Headed to Hospital" or something like that.
According to the 1983 US Supreme Court case of Berkimer V. McCarty, you only have to give what is legally required and you are under no obligation to answer any police questions.
Unfortunately, what is required varies from state to state. For example, some states require that you disclose if you are carrying a firearm to the officer. Some states require that you disclose it if asked. Some states require that passengers identify themselves. Some don't. You have to know the laws of your state and every state that you drive through.
@@Bass_attack7755, perhaps. I'm only somewhat versed in my own state's laws. But the point stands. What is "legally required" changes several times as you traverse the country.
@@Bass_attack7755, learn to read. I already responded to this and my point still stands. What is required varies from state to state, at the very least in regards to disclosing the presence of a firearm, but probably in regards to other things as well. f'ing nitwit.
Observation -- for military (active) -- we were "told" to show our military ID's when pulled over. What is your experience with having veteran tags (state issued license plates) and/or stickers showing "Veteran" or "Combat Veteran" or such? Are they considered "flags" to the cop pulling you over? I got pulled over by the Arkansas State Police a year ago...I had a state issued "Disabled Veteran" tag, retired military ID, and I was armed (gave him my CCP card). All he asked was where my gun was. I told him it was secure in the center console. He went back to his cruiser for 5 mins, came back and told me to take it easy on the twisty mountain roads (gave me a warning).
Yea. In my experience police give preferential treatment to military personelle. Even folks who haven't ever left training. Personally I think a well regulated military shouldn't act as a big brother for soldiers who act out of line in our society. Gives some of them the feeling they can do whatever.
The best thing you can do when a cop pulls you over is to be respectful and polite. Always have your license, registration, and proof of insurance ready and your hands on the wheel or where the officer can see them. Have your inside light on if it’s dark. This will put the officer more at ease because he has no idea who or what he’s walking up on. The surest way to piss off a cop is to start spouting “I know my rights” Or fifth amendment stuff. Just show respect and, nine times out of ten, you will get it back. Most cops are just like you and me, trying to get through their shift so they can go home.
An X Police officer friend told me never fill out an accident report , tell the officer you want to speak to your Lawyer . Don't say anything . Speed cameras have to be properly calibrated after every speed check .
Thanks for the video Andy. The thing that sucks about saying "My lawyer friend said not to answer questions/stay silent" is that it puts the officer on high alert. Even being completely innocent, that often leads to more suspicion and further interrogation by the officers. Which, being an innocent person, really can needlessly prolong a stop and cause unnecessarily confrontation with the officers.
"Do you know why I pulled you over?" "Yes. A large part of your job is taking money out of the hands of hard working people who are just trying to get to work. It's just another form of tax. You'll do anything you can to get money from me, which is why you never give warnings and won't today." Probably not a good answer, but it's accurate.
I've been let go probably the last 5 times I was pulled over. While I agree with the ideas given in this video, i have found that the officers in my area generally let you go with a warning if you answer their questions. 4 times all they asked was if i had been drinking, where i was coming from and where i was going. The answer was always the same, no drinks, from work, going home to bed. I was always exhausted and would get pulled over for crossing the centerline or something. all 4 times they said 'do me a favor and go straight home to bed, we don't need anyone getting hurt' and that was it. Once I was asked if they could search and although I wouldn't do it now, that time I consented. They didn't really even do a real search. Popped the trunk, looked in it without touching anything, shone the flashlight in the back seat, said 'go on, slow down'. I was involved in an accident once and the cop asked me if I had any firearms. I said yes, in the car. He asked for my permit. I was expecting to get searched and handcuffed, thought they would take the gun and check it for illegal modifications, run the serial number to see if it was stolen, etc. Nope. He didn't even want to see it. Just asked me not to get back in my car until after they were done with the accident paperwork. In Ohio I understand the cops hate concealed carry and will harrass people endlessly, people have had to sue the police departments over it. But where I live, they are cool with it.
The best answer to the question, “Do you know why I pulled you over?” “Yes, because you got all “C’s in high school.” You’ll get arrested, but it might be worth it.
Mr. attorney I want to say thank you for taking your personal time did you leave videos I think they’re informative and I think they healthy. Look, nobody is talking about getting away with illegal activities but if we don’t enforce our constitution we won’t have one anymore thank you again.
I've found that if you're heading to work when you get stopped, tell them you're heading to work. I've been let go twice for traffic infractions I was blatently guilty of, once going through a red light that was taking too long to change, and work was my honest excuse..
MANY cops don't want to mess up the "regular guy" just going to work. I drive a work van with full graphics and I think I "get away" with a lot of minor infractions because of that. THEY understand.
"Do you know why I pulled you over?" "I don't know, do you know why you pulled me over?" "You don't mind if I search the car do you?" "I don't consent to any searches of my person, my things, or my vehicle."
Excellent advice! Thank you very much. Decades ago, a crafty TX DPS officer ticketed me for speeding along a lonely country road (that was the quickest direction to the hospital). I was on my way to the bedside of a dying parishioner. The cop could care less (even "Reverend" on my business card didn't sway him), so I invited him to follow me into the dyeing person's hospital room. He declined. When he roared out of sight, I resumed my race, made it to the saint's side, among the family, just in time for final thoughts and prayers. I learned years later that I could have contested the citation in court, with the proof of the funeral's worship bulletin. Who knew? I was young and dumb. (The officer's unconcerned and unkind actions, that day, became sermonic illusions through remainder of my career.) I continue to pray for Texas law enforcement.
Except I doubt highly that a reverend going to a dying parishioner's bedside is a valid reason to speed in any state. Probably still would have lost that one.
I just wish Police were held to the same level of scrutiny the rest of us are. So many of them are on a power trip, mad at the world with something to prove. Probably were bullied in school for being weird. So here's my story. This was in Iowa, My friend and I were walking out of a bar one time, both drunk, headed to his GF's car who was our sober ride home. There were cops outside dealing some sort of fight that spilled out in to the street from a different bar (it was a strip of bars at a college spot) and they thought we were involved, so they came up to us, directed toward my friend, "Hey fellas, you boys been drinking tonight?" and my friends verbatim response was "I don't talk to cops." And he turned to walk around him and the cop said, "Oh really? We'll see about that" grabbed him, and hauled him off to jail and charged him with Public Intoxication. By the "letter of the law" was he guilty of that crime? Yes. But then again. EVERYONE Who goes in to any one of these dozen+ bars on this street and has 1 drink, (unless they have a teleporter), is technically breaking the law when you're drunk and you step out of the establishment. Even if to cross the sidewalk and get in a parallel parked car, that is breaking the law. A cop friend of mine from a different part of the state said, not only that, but technically, being drunk AS A PASSENGER in a car on a road at all, is Public Intoxication. So if you were pulled over, the cop saw you had a sober driver with multiple drunk passengers, he could take all the passengers to jail and charge them with Public Intoxication if he wanted. I only know about Iowa, but this seems totally broken, and totally goes against the "Spirit of the law" no pun intended.
I've found, when they finally realize that someone has no idea of their rights, they'll try to find a reason to mess with them. Like they'll say stuff like "You don't seem to like me." Or "You don't look quite right, is there something wrong with you?" Then they just wait for to them say the wrong thing and then use whatever excuse. Even they have to feel motivated. So don't give them a motive.
I always like how they ask "do you mind if I search your car" where basically saying YES is actually NO. I had one try that on me. Flustered people will automatically say NO as if the question was "may I search your car" and boom you just gave consent to the question of "do you MIND if I search your car". When asked "do you mind if I search your car" my reply was "I'm not falling for that trick of saying no. Yes, yes I do mind if you search my car. To further clarify I do not give consent to any search of anything". The look on his face was great.
"Two beers" is the same things patients say. I worked as a nurse in a hospital emergency department. When patients showed up intoxicated and suffering from some kind of medical problem, they would always say "I had two beers." One time I reached my breaking point with it and asked "Are you talking about the first two or the last two?"
Officer: "Do you know what the speed limit is?" You: "NO." It's better for you to say nothing at all. or Officer: "Do you know how fast your were going?" You "NO." It's better for you to say nothing at all. Remember, the officer is going to write everything you said on his/her copy of the ticket. You're going to have to explain your statements to the judge. You don't have to explain SILENCE to the judge. IMO (retired police officer) hand the officer your DL and insurance and say nothing at all. Obey if you are ORDERED to exit the car. If asked to do a field sobriety test, say "No thank you. I respectfully request to consult with an attorney."
I've been a police officer for over 20 years and I always ask these questions. The best answer to tell an officer is not what this attorney said, "My lawyer friend told me not to speak/talk to you." I would not do this because you will turn off the officer or get him to just write you the ticket. The best thing to say (without admitting guilt) when an officer pulls you over and asks you "do you know why I pulled you over?" your response should be, "I'm not sure but i'm sure you have good reason to stop me." Here you didn't admit guilt, and your having a friendly conversation with the officer. I'm not saying your not going to get the citation but your not being totally rude or saying your not going to speak to him. It all depends on what your doing wrong. If its minor infraction then there might be a chance of a verbal warning but if you come across rude or abrupt then you probably going to get a citation. Remember all officer are human, they just have a job to keep the public safe!
The nature of the stop certainly matters; the problem for us citizens is that we don't know if it's just a minor infraction stop or not. It's tricky how to draw the line between not being a jerk and not incriminating yourself.
I have tried these tactics - they only made the cop more ANGRY!!! It was in Alexandria, VA - I was the passenger, he demanded to see my ID. I asked if I was being detained, and if so, for what reason? He just got up in my face and yelled, "YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID!" Honestly, I had no clue. Then he tells me, 'In the state of VA, you MUST show your ID if asked" otherwise I'd be arrested. I knew it was total BS, but I wanted to get on with my night... once they ran my license, and found nothing - he was pissed, but let me leave. I hate cops like this - they make a bad name for most who are good, kind, and truly love serving!!!
If you answer the question: "Do you know why I pulled you over?" with anything but a "no", then you are admitting guilt and make their job much easier (less paperwork, etc...). If you do say, "no", then they actually have to go through the whole process of informing you of what you did wrong, as well as prove and document it, which is time consuming and if contested they have to show up in court and process more paperwork. Most are there to make quota and get their tickets out in the month. I believe some agencies take silence as admission, so do your research on your local laws if you do refrain from answering questions from a peace officer.
in the past when i've been asked "do you mind if i search..?" - i've had great success with being genuine as i proclaim "i'd rather just be on my way, officer"
I like "Am I being detained, officer?" It's a totally relevant and understandable question, it shows respect for the law, and if I were a cop, it would be less rankling and suspicious-sounding than stating outright that I refuse to answer any questions. Generally, showing respect for the law is key. If he tells me that I clipped a light, without admitting anything I ask exactly what is the line at which it becomes a citable offense. I act interested, as if I want to do better. I have gotten out of several tickets this way.
If you are being pulled over... you can rest assured, 100%, that you are being detained until they hand you your stuff back. That's what the courts have ruled and that's what those red and blues mean on top of the car.
@@Whiskey11Gaming Obviously you can't drive away if they have your license. But you can still ask the question knowing the answer. It's a tactic to show respect and interest in the status of your stop.
@@EdwardCurrent from my perspective, as a LEO, it makes you sound very ignorant to ask "am I being detained?" When it is quite obvious, on a traffic stop, you are. When it's less obvious if you are being detained, the question has merit, but a traffic stop? No.
@@Whiskey11Gaming Okay, I totally accept that. I've actually never said it when pulled over, but I feel like it would be appropriate if the stop is dragging on for some reason and the driver is unclear why they are being interrogated...as a polite way of saying, what do you want/why are you asking me this.
Tell me? Where is he going to get "evidence". I had a guy claimed I planted a Berretta 92F tat was stolen out of NY. I told him, "Yeah right! I'm going to fly to NY, steal a $500 gun and plant it on you? What makes you so special?". He was found guilty. A year later, I saw him at a 7-11 and asked if I could search his car?. He said, "Go ahead". I found a bindle of "Coke" and he said, "You planted that on me!". I said, "You used that excuse the last time. How'd that work out for you?". The most moronic excuse I ever heard.
@@rickuyeda4818 I can understand why you didn't pass the fire department written test, if you took it. I've been trained by, trained and worked extensively for decades with various local, state, Federal, military and foreign law enforcement officers and agents. I don't know to say this in simple to understand words. Let me try: some cops are naughty. They are bad. Yes. Bad boys that do naughty things. Really, gosh, golly, gee! I know good cops from bad cops. If you don't know of any, . . . Some years ago, working with game wardens and state troopers on two separate incidents, one with poaching and another with growing and transport of an illegal substance, both groups independently warn me that the local sheriff and deputies were dirty. And guess what? They were right! One of my brothers was in a department that was diligent in getting bad cops (remember the naughty ones I told you about. They were being bad boys) demoted or fired. Dear old dad resigned when a police detective beat, pistol whipped, a confession out of a suspect my dear old dad brought in. He said if that was police work he wanted nothing to do with it. You don't need a $500 firearm to plant as evidence, unless it was "picked up" somewhere on a past case. An oversized knife, a bit of illegal narcotics, a few prescription pills scarfed earlier. If you are not aware of evidence and what makes it, may you should refresh yourself. I support good law enforcement officers: professionals. I don't support bad law enforcement officers. They are criminals behind badges. If you don't know the difference between one and the other, that's what's wrong with today's law enforcement.
@@brianleeper5737 Then it's already in evidence for something else. Everything has to be tagged and catalogued. Even if the officer took evidence from one crime and tried to plant it on someone else, then he would have less evidence for the first crime. So if the officer is going to plant evidence it more likely be his own personal belongings. Also like Rick said "What makes you so special?" So it doesn't make sense for an officer to plant evidence on someone they don't know.
The last time I was pulled over it was 2 am in Portland, just left a bar with 4 women, I was the DD and had no alcohol at all. Anyway, he watched me leave the bar and immediately pulled me over, I knew my speed and the posted limit. He said exactly that. “Do you know why I pulled you over?” I said “no”. He said. “You were speeding”. I said, “no I wasn’t. I was going 40 and the posted limit 2 blocks back was 45”. He said, “well you got a tail light out” I was perturbed so I said “ good one, got any other bullshit to sell me?” He ordered me out of the car as if to show me and the ladies in the car who was boss. I stepped out and took one quick step towards him as I was very irritated and he nearly fell on his ass back peddling and slapping his hand on his gun. I said sorry, I must have stumbled. He was more than a head shorter than me (and I ain’t even that tall) and pretty portly so the sight made the girls laugh. Well that did it, he tells me to put my hands on my head and all that bull.. He tried to get me on all sorts of crap but got away with a warning as one of the 15 or so police that showed up (yeah about 8 cop cars pulled up with lights and all) must have told him to drop it. He even tried telling me to stop resisting as he put cuffs on because he had trouble getting my wrists close together, I am x large framed guy and very inflexible (no I’m not a fatty) It was a fun night
@@legitpancake4276 he said he got a warning, nothing to purge or expunge about a warning. if i had to guess, i'd say the fun night, as he put it, involved 4 drunk ladies showing gratitude for being delivered to their destinations... then again i over "trivialize" everything lol
I had dropped off a friend back to her car so she could go home. Downtown makes you pay for parking, so it’s easier to just meet in a parking lot then have everyone ride together and only pay for one car. Anyway a cop followed me and assumed I was drinking. I had not been. He breathylized me and I blew 0.00. He was PISSED. Start screaming that he knew I had been drinking and that I must’ve done something to cheat his device and other nonsense. Ordered me to turn around and put my hands on the car. Another squad car rolled up and asked what the situation was. I said I blew 0.00 but he’s accusing me of being drunk. The cop told me to shut up while yelling that I “broke his breathalyzer” or some nonsense and that he knew I had been drinking or must be high or something and was going to search me to prove it. Should’ve seen the look on the other cop’s face when he realized this cop was nuts. Told him to stop acting like jackass and let me go.
I was going home from a liquor promotion one afternoon. I had worked a 3 hour shift, and had a small sip of the product I was sampling, just so I could describe it to potential customers. I was looking at my map while driving home from a town I was unfamiliar with. I was pulled over for swerving. He ran the whole gamut of tests on me to determine if I was drunk. He even had a 2nd police car there to redirect traffic around me. We were near a lake & it was kind of windy. The sleeves of my blouse were blowing in the wind like wings. It was actually hilarious. The officer was very young, and I was guessing he was told to pull over a woman just to practice the whole procedure. I remained compliant, and let him run the series of tests. He gave me a warning about swerving, and not looking at my phone for directions.
As soon as I left a gas station one night after work I got pulled over. As soon as the officer lit me up I realized I didn't turn my headlights on. He asked me the usual. He said "I suppose you know why I pulled you over". It was obvious that I did because as soon as he pulled out behind me I turned on my lights. Then he asked me if I was just getting off work and I told him I was. If I would have taken this guy's advice and clammed up, it likely would have annoyed the cop and he would have given me a ticket instead of a warning.
This guys advice more then likely will result in you needing his services. I have gotten out countless tickets or had the infractions reduced by just being straight up with them.
@@james10165 this advice is only for people who actually have something to hide. 99% of police will respect the fact of an honest mistake. I got pulled over for going 75 in a 45 because I was rushing to retrieve my Dad from his broken down car when it was 8 degrees outside. He understood, and though he gave me a citation, asked the judge to dismiss the citation due to exigent circumstances, so I got 2 hours of driving school, and nothing on my record.
Glad to finally find a smart comment with smart replies around here! David, James and Alyss it's a relief to find rational people commenting around here for a change!
As for myself, I once blew a red light simply not thinking. Even worse, I did it right in front of a cop. I KNOW he saw it. No way he could not have! I was already pulled over just as he hit his lights and turned. I flat out said to him "I'm sorry sir, I know I completely blew that light, I am in a rush and I just didn't think. Me and my girlfriend are heading over to Jersey for a bbq my guard unit is having today so I've just been in a rush." I blew a red light IN FRONT OF A COP and he let me go with a warning. Because I wasn't being an irritating, inhuman jerk.
@@johnroscoe2406 Almost this exact thing happened to me. I started to stop at a yellow, but then decided I didn't have time. Also a car was right behind me and I was worried it might hit me. The light turned red just as I was entering the intersecton. Turned out the cop behind me was a cop. He lit me up even before I got through the intersection. He asked me where I worked. It just so happened he knew a guy from there and let him stay at his house while he was in the final stages of cancer. He made me chat with him for several minutes and then let me off the hook. If I would have taken this lawyer's advice I would have ended up with a heavy fine.
Thank you, Mr. Flusche. I try to be meticulous about driving (as best I can be), and in the two traffic tickets I have had early in my 30+ years of licensed driving, the officer kept asking questions that seemed irrelevant, but I answered, and I still got a ticket on a main road of a hick town. After watching this, I will save my breath. My perspective has always been to tell them the truth, and that saying "fifth amendment" will just provoke them. I carry absolutely nothing illegal in my car, don't drink, etc., so some police stops seem like harrassment. But hey, if I have nothing to be worried about, and I am on a road out of my area where the police are actually exceptional, I will do as you suggest. Thanks for answering this lingering question.
Wow! This is instruction for protecting personal freedom in its purest form. It is overwhelming difficult for some people to simply not speak, but practically anything you say will be incriminating and shaped into something unintended. The police are trained and practiced; just be silent. Also, consider that police do not recieve advancement or awards for not writing tickets. The Captain does not want to hear the officers say "I saw no violations today". Lastly, they are not on our side; they are on each other's side first, foremost, and always. There is no exception.
Unfortunately so. Now, bearing in mind that I’m referring to cops in the UK, but yeah there a few instances where they can actually be useful and it would be wrong to assume that they’re all evil bastards out to get you. I’ve had very little interaction with them but the few times I have, they’ve been decent. But that’s probably because they’ve been called because there’s been a fight out on the street or one of the psycho neighbours in our block of flats are disturbing the peace again and thus I suppose I’m a witness or bystander. I’ve never been on the receiving end and I’m sure that’s a very different experience and I’ve seen enough recordings of corrupt cops abusing their power enough to make sure I know my rights and how to respond. It’s not a good feeling to know that I’ll only be treated as a full human being by chance-that the individual cop is a decent one-and it’s equally likely I’ll get a bad, corrupt one.
The same goes for prosecutors. It's simply in the best interest of their careers to obtain as many convictions as possible. I went to court after pleading not guilty to a ticket for running a stop sign, and right before the session was called to order, the prosecutor called me over and told me that the officer would be there any minute to testify (no doubt believing I was just rolling the dice on whether he would show up), but he (the prosecutor) would give me one last chance to plead no contest, pay a reduced fine, take defensive driving, etc. Something seemed fishy to me, so I declined and said I'd like to continue with the bench trial. Then when my case was called, the prosecutor revealed that the complaint was defective because the court clerk had listed an incorrect address for where I was pulled over, rendering it invalid. He asked the judge to allow him to dismiss the complaint and refile it with the correct info, which the judge allowed. So then I had to go back AGAIN a couple of months or so later, at which time the case was dismissed because the officer didn't appear to testify. But the prosecutor was flat out lying to me before the first scheduled trial. I think he was pretty pissed off when I called his bluff and he had to show his hand to the judge.
Thank you. Some laws in Britain are different but by and large similar, so these videos still make good pointers with only a check on British law needed.
Yes but on the other hand your country does not allow attorneys (barristers?) to DIRECTLY advertise to people, and that's all THESE videos really amount to.
4:07 You're also forgetting related to the search about civil asset forfeiture. They claim that what you have that is legal such as cash money is associated with drugs or crime and take it from you without charging you.
I turned right at a red light with a "no turn on red" sign. The cop pulled me over and asked if I knew why. I replied that the intersection was a "no turn on red" intersection, and the officer actually told me that most people don't know (or don't admit to), and because of that he let me off without even a warning. Obviously this isn't everyone's experience, but everyone should remember to always be polite.
top rules for whenever your interacting with police. dont admit to doing anything, if they ask for permission to do something say no (if they could do it without permission they would not even bother asking), dont take everything they say as true police can and will lie to you in order to get you in trouble, say as little as you possibly can to them until you have a lawyer present. also if a police officer says something like "im giving you a chance here to explain your side of the story so i dont have to bring you in" politely decline. for all you know the officer might be fishing for reasons to bring you in because he does not have enough reason to do so yet. never give a police officer anything without a lawyer present. in a perfect world the police would follow their motto and only try to protect and serve, in our world they will do everything they can to find a reason to get you in trouble. be polite but dont be stupid.
The debate over asking for consent even with probable cause to search rages in law enforcement circles every day. Consent is significantly harder to argue against in court by defense attorneys than probable cause. If consent is granted and they find something, that's almost always a death knell for any case unless the original reason for the stop was BS. The case against it is that PC is PC and they don't need consent at that point, so just do it. It also looks shady if you have PC, ask for consent, are granted consent and right before something is found, consent is revoked and you say "Well, I have PC anyway so I'm going to continue my search"
Great video! When I was a young man, I had been in my share of trouble (and jail cells Lol). Now as an old (retired) man, I know these videos would have really helped me in the "the good old days". Not so much anymore though😒.... Keep em' coming!
When I joined the Army back in the 80s, I truthfully answered the, "How many times have you used marijuana?" question by saying I'd tried it twice. This resulted in me being one of a handful out of 200+ who were pulled aside and asked additional questions about drug use.
@@dmhiix I'm surprised that this isn't more common knowledge, but that's often the case. It happened with me. The first 3 or 4 times I smoked pot, I didn't get stoned. I don't know why that is but it's not uncommon. Same with another person I know. It often doesn't affect people the first couple times. I guess people don't share this information cause they don't want to encourage people to try it again, but it's true. I was a partier in HS and I kept trying and not long after the first few tries, I got stoned silly. I don't smoke anymore - this was when I was young and stupid.
At my Navy induction. Some people came into the room and escorted one of us to an exit. Found out later that he had answered "yes" to the question, "Have you or any relative ever taken arms against the USA or advocated for the violent overthrow of its government. He was brought back a few minutes later with a big grin on his face, and his escorts were also smiling. His name? Robert E. Lee, great-grandson of the famous one.
Id say about 2/3 of the time I have been pulled over I dont get a ticket. The times I have, they did not want to talk or ask me any questions, they just asked for license and registration. The times they started talking asking if I knew if I was pulled over or knew I was speeding ect, I've just been super polite and honest, and for whatever reason they have mostly let me off with a warning. My wife has never been let off with a warning for some reason. I'm not suggesting this works for every situation, but I think being polite and honest may sway some discretion in your favor.
"Do you know why I pulled you over?" "Yeah. I knew it was gonna happen, sooner or later.... I won't be saying anything else, until my lawyer is present...."
I've found in my experience that police can, and sometimes will, go above and beyond to ruin your day if you are totally uncooperative. I find it best to be politely dumb. Appear passive, address them as sir or ma'am, but the answer to anything they want to know is either "no" or "I don't know". I've known people who have been uncooperative, or worse, belligerent and the officer will somehow find *something* to ticket them on. For me, it's almost always just a verbal warning.
Love this video and appreciate it. It is a bit sad that we have to watch every little thing we say to those we instill power to enforce our laws. The public/police relationship shouldn’t be adversarial yet we have to have videos like this to protect us.
I don’t drink (specifically because I nearly always have to drive and I have an gear addiction to spend my money on) so most of the time I’ve ever been stopped I’m either going to or from work or going out to do astrophotography. I prefer to keep all interactions as civil as possible so I usually haven’t had any issues. While I know that the best possible answer is to invoke the 5th, I’ve seen many police interactions where this leads to undue hostility from the officer. (Yea I know that that kind of conduct, many times is unconstitutional on the part of the officer) but it’s a huge time suck that I would prefer to avoid. I guess what I’m getting at is: Is there any harm in saying, “just headed home from work, or going out to take some pictures of the sky” or something like that? Not asking for legal specifics, just in general
Eh...their next question is usually related to drinking regardless of how you answer. And the only people who are gonna be sweating bullets at that point... are those that should have walked home.
I did jury duty and the cops arrested a woman who had called them. Her boyfriend had assaulted her so she called the cops. The boyfriend was known for dealing drugs etc. So they got on the premise, a cop found a random spoon in the boyfriends car and claimed it was used for drugs. They arrested the beaten woman. She spent a year in jail and the cop got promoted for his find. The cop was put on the stand and admitted to have just focused on the spoon and had no interest in helping the woman. The judge and everyone although they did not say it thought it was the dumbest thing. They dismissed the case and set the poor woman free. But a spoon in the wrong persons car sent this woman to a year in jail.
Once I thought that I was having a heart attack so I pulled over and told a cop. He said, "I think that you're all right. Just go home." I made it home, my wife called 911, and I went to the hospital. No heart attack but I was having a "heart episode of unknown cause." Thanks, public servant.
Rights and the Consttitution need to be taught in school from kindergarten to 12th grade. Schools teach us to be obedient and submissive to authority which contributes to the culture of incarceration in this country.
I watch your videos and for the most part they are informative I am a retired New York State cop I started in the 1990s everyone that showed me military ID or better yet LEO ID.... I let them go ( officially warned and admonished) I think it's a big disservice telling military people not to inform law enforcement that they served. I do admit times have changed but as for myself I still use Master Shield
So you gave law enforcement and prior service a break New York state troopers are I've always been clowns I'm an OTR driver you guys never missed an opportunity to disappoint just like family members you're not in the club and the funny part about it you think you're the good guy
US Navy 85 to 89 two tours in the Persian Gulf E5 expeditionary medal winner CDL holder 32 years state troopers are nothing but thugs you always give a ticket to the trucker right shaking your head
I already never give them permission to search my car, and though they have asked, the most they have ever done when I said no is take a dog around the outside of the car. Also, when they asked if they know why they pulled me over I say "no sir". I have only ever had 2 tickets and the only criminal charge ever stuck on me was at age 17. I am 48.
These are very helpful videos. Can you please do a video to address how to find and get in touch with the right kind of attorney when you've never needed one before and the police are at your door.
Still "no" and ask for a lawyer. Police officers are no prosecutors. Anyway, no police officer will be so stupid to search your car, when the bomb is visual in plain sight. He will demand you to leave the car, and keep a large distance from the car. Next to that he will call the bomb squad. Good luck with your miranda rights to them 😂
Hey Andrew, love your channel and I was wondering about a question I have? If a cop pulls over a vehicle for speeding or your parked somewhere and a cop comes up, does he have the right to ask for the ID of a passenger? I see this in videos where the cop just seems nosey and then starts demanding the id of the passenger when the passenger had nothing to do with the initial stop.
I hate to say it but Andrew gave a very incomplete and woefully misleading answer. Per the SCOTUS, in ALL states, the 4th Amendment precludes cops from demanding ID unless there is "reasonable articulable suspicion of a crime" (being committed, or has committed, or will commit) - also known as RAS. Unfortunately, RAS is a test the courts apply in court, and cops have zero duty to tell your passenger their RAS on the roadside. *Therefore, cops can NOT ask a passenger for ID on a traffic stop without RAS.* Some states have codified (created statutes/laws) this concept and they are called "Stop and ID states". *But every one of those laws still has to comply with the 4th Amendment and RAS!* Many of these laws give police the right to "demand" ID but provide no duty or penalty for refusing. Many focus on penalties for giving false information. Best to read the law in your state (google "stop and id states map", wikipedia has a pretty detailed article on it). As wiki pointed out, only 7 states explicitly impose a criminal penalty for noncompliance with the obligation to identify oneself. Also, I believe that's a secondary offense, meaning, ultimately they cannot charge you with failure to ID unless they are ALSO charging you with some other crime. To specifically answer your question, I've seen similar videos and many more where cops ask for (or unlawfully demand) ID from 1st Amendment auditors. The cops are usually full of shit and violating rights at that point. My best layman's advice is 1) If you want to avoid being harassed and possibly unlawfully arrested - ID yourself, 2) If you are being arrested or cited, ID yourself, 3) if you're not worried about #1 and #2 doesn't apply, feel free to not ID yourself and call their bluff. Personally, I'd demand that the cop give RAS (even though I know they have no duty to do so for me roadside) and if they couldn't give me a reason that passed the smell test, I'd refuse.
I've seen a video of a woman sleeping in her car after shopping at the grocery store. She was waiting for a hard rain storm to pass before leaving and felt it was safer to wait. Cops show up, demand ID and smash both of her driver side windows. Highly illegal but they do it any way.
In Canada here. Laws are about the same. Invoke section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and say you don't wish to answer any questions. A lawyer once told me to begin any police encounter with "I'm tired, I'm thirsty, I'm hungry, I need to go to the bathroom." It apparently can somehow help you if it ever goes to court, you can say you were under duress.
I want him to tell me I have a burned out tail light that I obviously do not know anything about. Why pick a fight when you are undoubtedly going to just get off with a warning otherwise?
If you have a (legal) concealed weapon, a lot of states have a "duty to inform" law, so check and make sure. In Texas they can inspect your firearm but this by no means gives them the right to search.
I was pulled over only one time in 1989. I had a broken and inoperable speedometer so when the cop asked if I knew how fast I was going I played along as I wasn’t going to get fined for the broken speedo as well! 33 years later and counting now without getting pulled over again but I probably just jinxed it.
My standard response to their fishing expedition is “what does that have to do with why you pulled me over?”. I prefer to answer irrelevant questions with relevant questions.
@@hogroamer260 you can talk your way out of a ticket with a rational officer. Once they start asking irrelevant questions, you know are are not dealing with a rational officer, so there is no point in getting your hopes up.
@@hogroamer260 that wouldn’t be an irrelevant question. Things like “where are you coming from?”, “where are you going?”, those are irrelevant questions.
I've found that if you made an obvious error, like going through a stop sign or red light, and they pull you over, being honest usually makes them be nicer to you. Always works for me.
Technically, "Do you know why you've been pulled over" is a closed-ended question, as it tends to invite a yes or no answer. The open-ended version might be "Why do you think you've been pulled over?" as it's asking for something more than yes or no.
It is closed ended but people being people will blurt out a reason instead of yes or no. People are their own worst enemy which is why attorneys say to claim up and stop talking.
I got stopped about 10 or 15 years ago for rolling thru a stop sign. I knew I did it but I was talking to my 6 year old son and was a little distracted. We had just left McDonald's so I had also taken off my seatbelt to get my wallet. The officer asked "do u know why I stopped you?" I told him " I'm not sure but I probably rolled thru that stop sign back there" He said " you also don't have your seatbelt on" I hadn't realized it but I had forgot to put it back on. I told him we'd just left the McDonald's and explained I ha gotten my wallet out. He let me slide on the stop and wrote me for the seatbelt violation, which wasn't a moving violation. I believe my honesty is why he didn't write me two tickets. Not every law enforcement officer is the devil.😂
As a cycling educator, I define "traffic" as "people who are getting from where they were to where they intend to be." So, to the question "Where are you coming from?" my answer is "I don't see how that's relevant to why you stopped me," which is only a little less snarky than "Where I was." I'm very much about "NO" as a complete sentence in a LOT of facets of life, but especially if a cop asks me to talk to them. I'm happy to say things like "I don't feel compelled to give you a direct answer to that question without first consulting my attorney," or "If you really want to do this, we can wait for my attorney to come here and make this stop far longer than it has to be." And then say nothing. There is nothing I can say that won't be misused against me by any cop I encounter. "Officer Friendly" is a myth. If you have thirteen hundred good cops, and twelve bad cops, you have 1 3 1 2 bad cops.
Hi I 100 % agree . No cop is your friend. But we sometimes need them and always wish they could be friendy , but definately need them to be God fearing and respectfull and respectable. God bless us all
In a previous video I said "no" and plead the fifth. Some silly member of youtube got triggered and said that I was stupid. That just shows me that some people will never learn, and will probably argue with lawyers how to respond to police officers.
So, your advice is simply say "no", but the officer isn't going to just say "OK" and let you go on your way. He's going to continue to press you for answers.
I agree... coming from first hand knowledge, living in northern VA (close to this guy's office) I tried this and was told - if I didn't comply, by showing my ID. I would be arrested, since I wasn't in the mood to be hauled to the police station, I just did it after about 20 minutes of simply asking what I had done... I wasn't driving, I was taking the metro - why do I require my license or ID? I guess now it's "SHOW ME DA PAPERS" even if this cop couldn't tell me what I had done. JERK!!
@@GunnWrights Your youtube account name is "Gunn Wrights." Something tells me you're just a questionable person by default so excuse me if I don't sympathize with you nor 100% believe you.
In the 60s, actor/comedian Paul Lynne was pulled over on the 101 from erratic driving. He actually pulled up onto a sidewalk. When the officer approached he rolled down his window and said he'd like a cheeseburger, large fries and a medium coke, to go." The officer had his car towed and drove him home. Oh how times have changed.
Hey @Andrewflusche , thank you for making this video. Could you please make a video explaining your rights or defense when it comes to vehicle exemption searches.
The best was when I was genuinely confused because he pulled me over for supposedly not stopping when I definitely did stop at the stop sign but he got annoyed and gave me a ticket. It’s especially great that I see 95% of people at that stop sign actually just go right through without even really slowing down and of course those are the people who aren’t punished for that at all.
My last traffic stop during the Covid lockdown I was given a warning for double parking illegally. My registration was also expired and I mentioned that I really couldn’t get it renewed with the RMV rules constantly changing. I was given a verbal warning on both and the police officer let go with showing my license and he didn’t run it, he just looked at it.
You're not legally required to answer any cop's questions. Not, 'where you coming from?' or 'where you going?' or 'what have you been doing?' or 'how much you had to drink?' You can just say 'I don't answer questions without my attorney present.' Here's my license, registration, proof of insurance.' The cop IS required to tell you why he stopped you & what he's charging/ticketing you for. Of course, at first it helps to be cordial.
I know these tactics are not as successful at the border. Although I have traveled across borders all around the US and throughout the world, the one here in Detroit is extremely problematic. Each time I have tried to cross and limit my responses to the questions being asked, not offering or volunteering additional information, border control has gotten very irritated and have detained me for a search and additional questioning, which lasted hours. Although of course nothing was ever found, it nevertheless was a huge inconvenience to me. Their irritation seemed to be that they didn't find me deferential enough or people-pleasing driven. In fact, I was simply responding to what they asked and no more. I also found some of their questions confusing, and so I did answer them in a way that was meant to be specific, but they took his being sassy. For example, one guy questioned my out-of-state license and plates. At that time, I was a grad student and there was no issue with him, plus it's beyond the purview of the border crossing. When I answered that I was a grad student and therefore had my car registered in my home state, he then asked me if I worked in Michigan. I explained once again that I was a grad student - because as a grad student, I received a stipend. Therefore, I didn't really know what the answer was in the context he was asking . I have no idea why he disliked this answer, but it triggered him. I was told by the staff while they were searching my car that I had essentially been flagged for having an attitude problem. So far as I know, that is not probable cause and also simply answering the questions literally is not an attitude problem. So I do agree with some who have said that sometimes protecting your rights can result in escalation or harassment. However, I am wondering how one should respond if you do have a gun in the car with a proper concealed carry permit. Are you required to disclose it if you are properly licensed?
I happened across a video very similar to this a few months back...A lawyer was giving a speech to a class that basically said "There is NOTHING you can say to a police officer that will actually help your case..."
Cop: Do you know why I pulled you over? Me: Because I am incredibly charismatic and generate feelings in others that they themselves do not understand.
I was pulled over last year for failure to stop. The officer never ask me a question. It was just "I pulled you over for failure to stop, show me your DL" and so on. So I never said a word. When we went to court the DA had no video of the stop just audio. My attorney got the recording thrown out because they could not prove I was even their when the recording was made. We won the case. Only because I did not say anything.
This is important, there can be evidence that both officers and prosecutors will hide. I got stopped by a Deputy Sheriff who said he clocked me on radar at 75mph in a 55. I was on cruise control and started down an unfamiliar very steep hill that had no warning signs and this chicken deputy was running radar on the cars coming down the hill. However I had been watching my speedometer to discern if I needed to start braking and I never got over 65. I took it to court and sat with prosecutor to watch his dash cam. Radar locked on 65, not 75. He clearly perjured himself filing an official citation. Then I set it for a jury trial and said I wanted his witness subpoenaed. “What witness?” _The brunette female rider he had in his car!”_ They knew the clock didn’t match the ticket but were willing to try me anyway. They dismissed the ticket and I went to Internal Affairs to file a complaint of perjury but they refused. _We have a strict policy, we do not investigate traffic stops_ , not even as a courtesy for a former police officer. So he got away with that and who knows how many others. I don’t trust the local sheriff’s deputies. I still ride with my Austin guys, well, before Covid.
Oh my god that is fucking amazing
All the officer would have to do is testify you were there. Unless the officer wasn't in court.
@@PaulDo22 I've lucked out almost every (all three) times I've taken a traffic citation to court, cuz the officer didn't come. They'll show if it's their day off cuz they want that OT. But if they're on duty, it's such a headache to get out of your assignment to go to court, that they don't bother unless it's a major crime, or they're subpoenaed .
🤐
I've been asked the, "Do you know why I pulled you over?" question and the answer I give is a brief "No!". Totally disarms the officer. So, people say, "You probably lied to the officer, you knew why!" to which my response is that I can't read the officer's mind so no, I don't know. Do not elaborate! Do not explain! Just say no!
Spot on. Maybe your tail light is out. Maybe he noticed that and didn't even check his radar gun before pulling you over. Or maybe there was a nearby bank robbery and the getaway car resembles your own. Or maybe the cop pulled you over for exactly what you SUSPECT he pulled you over for. But you can't KNOW his reason until he tells you.
The real answer to "do you know why I pulled you over?" is very often that the cop didn't like the color of your skin so its not like they are looking for an honest answer anyway lol.
@@JohnDoe-gy5dr no it isn’t
@@TokyoXtreme Got a reason for defending racist cops?
@@JohnDoe-gy5dr maybe those cops have access to FBI statistics?
For that last one, we gotta be careful about how they ask the question as well, if they say "do you mind if I search your vehicle?" That's a double ended question, if you answer with just yes, they'll take it as yes they can search, if you answer no, they'll take it as "no I don't mind" and search anyways, best answer I heard for that is "I do not consent to an unwarranted search"
Am I required to answer that question?
@@robt8042 As far as I know, it is not required in most states but you should state affirmatively that you do not consent and say nothing else. There is no confusion that statement. As for questions, it's okay to say you invoke your right to remain silent. The less you say the better. Officers must have cause before your stop and not be looking for it after you've been stopped.
The answer should always be "I do not consent to any searches", no matter how they word the question.
"Do you mind..." and "May I..." Are two different questions. One implies the cop is interested in my feelings. The other is asking my permission.
"I do not consent" is always a good answer. I'm retired now, so I have no problem with them wasting their time by bringing in a dog to sniff around my vehicle.
Correct. A fine point, no need to say unwarranted, because no consent is needed, of course, for a warranted search.
After starting out as a prosecutor, I've spent 33 years as a defense attorney. The advice that you give in this video is spot on. I give the same
How ever as an average looking white looking guy which I'm not. I mean sure, great advice to have an easy win case in court.
After they've slapped on the cuffs for general noncompliance in cop principle, towed your luxury car to the sleeziest state police, legalized piracy low life tow scum lot 3 blocks from scene that'll cos t you royally, booked finger printed, None of which these lawyers tell.Yal
They live in a different privileged alternate universe.
For You.
It's a financial shit show only the wealthy can afford to play and mite for the right price, no guarantees guaranteed have a shot.
But a mite lives on a chickens ass.
All legal by design. Revenue.
...............
That's just the ordurve. 💩
Great in theroy, fantasy siruationaly.
If your really not doing anything or shady in nature, compliance,
Always privaled with me. Cited or not. Will always go better.
Most cops are honest n cool.
I live in that corridor. Once you get to Fairfax or Dc, 75% chance getting pulled over won't go well.
Compliance or not.
Quotas, yes it's obvious.
Revenue, county budget Nazi's.
The courts especially.
Don't expect a break.
To a point, the intro question is great tho, your only real time chance to legally play dumb. Goid advice.
So, you switched to the opposite side of the "vs" eh ? In some linguistic analogies, that makes you a traitor. 😉
@@RovingPunstertheir all BLOODY pig's anyway g
If a police officer initiates a contact with a citizen & there is no reasonable expectation the citizen will suddenly use their cell phone as a weapon (while citizen is involved in getting & activateing cell phone to record the contact, citizen informs the officer the cell phone is being activated to record the contact AND the citizen specifies their intentions to cooperate with the officer) does the officer reserve the right/authorization ect to ensure the recording of the incident does not occur ?
@@usspaul9422 A very reasonable question i'd like to hear an expert opine on myself.
There have been HUGE changes in technology & society since I started my hometown's all volunteer Aux Police unit way back in 1984 (I left after 2-3 yrs, not long after finishing college) ... the internet, cell phones, and now smart/camera phones, have all arrived and become omnipresent. Atop that, we now have social media and a 24hr global news cycle, the ability of things going viral within mere hours, and sometimes resulting in firings, resignations, or even arrests. I'd love to know the best current etiquitte to follow, from both sides of such a query.
Rule of thumb(s) never talk to someone who is legally allowed to lie to you.
Good point.
Sound advice.
@@visax8550 Whataboutism
Most be awkward at home with your significant other. 😂
@@visax8550 never talk to someone whose job it is to enforce made up rules with murder and kidnapping
Even when you know your car is 100% clean .......
And then when the officer plants something, you're screwed. While it's certainly very rare, it happens JUST OFTEN enough to be wary, because the officers that do it probably won't be caught until years down the road, after your life has already been trashed. Plenty of News stories to verify this.
Or, they find cotton candy, and say it's crack, and you spend 90 days in jail on a million dollars bond, until the state lab tests it and determines that it is indeed cotton candy.
Or, they find cash.
And since you have more cash than they normally have, you are a drug dealer.
@@feez357 Ah yes, the old civil asset forteiture routine.
@@bleebu5448 seriously a guy got busted for crack because he has icing from a donut in his car
Damn right. You have a baggie with a controlled substance in your pocket. Oh yes you do. Here in Montgomery county Illinois, deputy Fred Cole got busted for growing pot for the purpose of planting it on people.
On an episode of COPS, an officer stopped a group of teens he suspected of something or other. He had everybody take a seat on the curb, and the ones with backpacks, he had them take them off, and he moved them four or five feet back behind each person, out of their reach. With the last backpack in his hands, he asked that kid "do you have any weapons or drugs in here?" Kid says "no sir". Officer says "Well you don't mind if I go ahead and check, do you?" Kid says "actually, sir, I DO mind." Officer Incredulous says "EXCUSE ME? What do you MEAN, you do mind?" And this kid says "Sir, you asked for my consent to search my bag, and I'm saying no. If you have probable cause or whatever, then I guess you're probably going to search it anyway, but I do NOT consent." The officer just stared at him, and then set the bag down with the others, and didn't ask anyone else for consent to search. ATTABOY KID. And now that I think about it, attaboy officer too!
Put a loaded mousetrap in my bags
I'm surprised that someone using their constitutional rights would air on cops.
Which episode was this?
@@alduintheanti-dragonborn No idea - it was a while ago. Might have been in Las Vegas.
@@giantclam1822 Loaded with donuts?
Thanks for all the info. I was pulled over in NC years ago and consented to a search of my van. Worst mistake of my life. They detained me for a couple hours and put me in the back of the patrol car with my dog. Then they did not give me my license back. I am the most silent person if I encounter anyone of authority now. There is another incident that caused me to have little faith in the process of the courts.
Why didn’t they give you back your drivers license? Oh and what a horrible disgusting human beings that should never have been given the authority over others.
I wonder if they locked you in the squad car so you couldn't withdraw consent. I could be wrong, but I think if a person consents to a search, they can withdraw consent to stop the search at any time. However, consent has to be withdrawn before the police find anything incriminating or before the police plant incriminating evidence that wasn't there before.
@@lloydtucker5647 All I know is I learned my lesson that day to keep quiet and don't agree to anything.
@@MissMarinaCapri Someone actually found my license and mailed it back to me. By that time though I already got a replacement.
Even if you had said NO to a search, if the cops were initially suspicious, they would have become even MORE suspicious and would have searched your vehicle anyway.
when asked "do you know why i pulled you over" i always reply "because i voted for joe biden?" it has worked 9 times out of 10. 😊
"Do you know why you were pulled over?"
"You want to sell me tickets to the policeman's ball?"
"Police don't have balls."
"Yeah. Uvalde proved that."
Fake staged hoax.
I did MP duty in the Military. The joke of "only two beers" comes from the drunk remembering the "First" beer and the "Last" beer. A total of two beers.
Good one! Never thought of it like that!
I found out the hard way to never offer a cop a cold beer, no matter how hot it is.
Actually, it comes from high school health class where we learned that depending on your gender, weight and stomach contents, two beers drunk in succession will raise your BA to the .04-.06 level, and that third beer is the one that can get you close to or over .08.
Didn't ask
@@jakeroberts7435 😂🤣😂🤣😂
Thank you for teaching us more about protecting our Constitutional rights than a semester of civics in high school ever did.
A lot of this was covered in my high school but then I did have very liberal teachers.
We don't have Constitutional rights. We have natural rights that the Constitution (allegedly) protects. To say they're Constitutional rights is to say your rights come from government, but rights preexist and outrank and overrule governments and laws. The Founding Fathers called them unalienable rights. Do you know what that means? It means that you have the right to do something. If the law says you can't do it, you still have the right to do it. If the government says you can't do it, you still have the right to do it. It means that nothing anybody in this world says or does can ever take away your right to do it. Rights can never be taken. They can only ever be given up of your own free will.
@@jeremyallen9624 Literally everything you said was wrong lol.
@@anonymousrex5207 You could have just said that you don't understand liberty, responsibility, or self-ownership.
@@jeremyallen9624 no, you fail to understand that governments exist and they make laws. You follow the laws or you get arrested... pretty simple stuff. You want anarchy go live on a deserted island.
I’ve found from personal experience to answer questions as far as I need to. Be polite but vague. Then ask them questions. Where are you coming from? Lunch. Where was lunch? Sorry officer, I don’t see how any of this is relevant to why I was pulled over.
The few times I’ve remained silent or said I didn’t want to answer always got me a ticket. Being polite, yet vague has gotten me out of a few.
@@TheBowen747 its also the changes that were made in the Regan Era under the war on drugs. It completely changed societal norms around even soft drugs like cannabis.
@@private2809
And some people think Reagan was a good guy. Put more people in jail for weed than ever. The media says he was a hero, so he must be. He played a few.
Maybe. The cops only motivation is to issue a citation to generate revenue for the municipality. You might get the ticket no matter what you say. The cop may also let you go no matter what you say. When in doubt say nothing other than true, correct, and factual information and then only to questions which pertain to the incident.
@@dingusdingus2152 That's an asinine way of policing a neighborhood, I was just having a discussion about that the other day. It's one of the many reasons I believe, that plays into corruption within the force when they have to meet certain quotas in order to be deemed affective. They'll pin anything on anyone no matter how minor or insignificant and use flowery wording to trap people all to get that extra arrest or ticket out. They might as well be salesmen, trying to sell lies to the innocent that they've broken a law and to their superiors that a crime has been committed.
THIS. Lie to them and tell them what they want to hear. No reason not to lie to the cops to protect yourself if at all possible. They will lie to you all they can to get what they want. Play the game.
When my son was a baby, I had to work late one night. We had been having issues with an obsessed guy. My wife called sounding panicked and said I needed to get home, someone had been beating the door and trying to open the window. I could hear a ruckus in the background before the phone cut off and I couldn't get back through. I called the cops and left work, going about 100mph on the interstate. It was about a 30 mile drive home. It was around midnight and the interstate was 4 lanes per side and hardly any cars were out. I blew past a cop and saw the blue lights, I pulled straight over thinking her would hear what was going on and maybe even escort me part way. Instead, there was a long winded egotistical rant. He radioed and confirmed that I had made a 911 call to my home over a suspected break in taking place.
instead of letting me go, the jerk pulled me out of the car searched me, cuffed me, said "I should haul you ass to jail" and kept ranting. In the end I spent 45 minutes on the side of the road being berated by a crazy cop while I had no idea if my wife and infant child were being attacked or worse. In the end, he "cut me a break" and "only" wrote me a ticket. By the time I got home, the man had been arrested and my wife and 2 officers were in the house filling out a report. It still haunts me that I wasn't there during that situation and I really wish nothing but the worst on that prick cop that got his rocks off screwing with me.
In the end, I had to do an 8 hour defensive driving class to get it off my record.
I know this has been a long time ago but if it'd been me I'd assumed that son of a b****
Sued... That son of a b****
Best advice - don't break the law when driving and you won't get pulled over. Has worked for me for over 50 years. Problem solved.
This is the most efficient version I've seen yet. Well done!
You want an efficient version.? Check out Pot Brothers at Law.
We were just pounding on nothing. So we could make it sound like we were doing something
"why did I pull you over?" "Since you don't recall, am I free to go?" It got a laugh, but I still got the ticket.
They want to "search" your car so they can plant evidence. When the police pull someone over for a traffic violation it should go no further than that; PERIOD. Anything over and above that is dishonest policing.
david
Literally one of the dumbest comments I have read in quite some time lol.
I know someone that was pulled over for something like that and the officer planed evidence. it was all caught on the police camera too.
Both of my parents were police officers. They told me to never let them search my car.
@@dmc9405 sorry that both of your parents are felons with badges.
@@johnhumphrey9953 I'm skeptical. I'm not saying it's never happened before.... But how exactly was it "all caught on tape"? And what was supposedly planted? I mean...aside from the officer leaving his body cam/dash cam on and being stupid enough to SHOW himself planting it, how else could it ALL actually be caught on tape?? Did it happen in the brightly lit parking lot of a gas station?
I'd like to add another reason for why you should never allow your vehicle to be searched.
Years ago I knew one of my county's fleet mechanics whose job it was to search vehicles for hidden compartments used to transport drugs or, more appealing due to asset forfeiture laws, cash. From him I learned that if you consent to a vehicle search, that search may not be limited to the contents of the vehicle, they then have the right to literally take the vehicle apart on the side of the road (such compartments can be hidden in wheel wells and behind the dashboard). However, should they not find anything, law enforcement is under no obligation to put your vehicle back together, they can literally leave your vehicle in pieces. At that point it's up to you to pay for a tow and to have a mechanic put your vehicle back together. This apparently happens quite often.
It's very apparent that they go to this much effort to search a vehicle only when they're sure there's something to be found, so law enforcement officers can be resentful when they don't find anything. Apparently law enforcement officers tend to regard leaving a vehicle in pieces as just punishment for the vehicle driver 'getting away with it'.
NEVER give them permission to search your vehicle!
When I was a kid I used to think if I hadn't done anything wrong, I would answer all questions, and allow the police to "look over" my car or even home. But as the years went by, I saw how common it is for an ordinary citizen to be railroaded. That's not to mention the times you hear about a "bad cop" who outright plants evidence.
There was also the time I was stopped by a cop about "running a stop sign," I literally said, "I'm sorry! I thought I had waited long enough to go." The officer wrote down what I had said, and so there was "my confession" in writing, which would make it hard to get out of that ticket. That's it, the last straw. From then on I knew to just be quiet upon questioning.
Back in the mid 80s my dad was rushing me to the hospital in the middle of the night because I was having a severe asthma attack. This was in rural Indiana and the hospital was 30 miles away on two lane highways and through small towns. In one of the towns my dad got pulled over. The stop took about 45 seconds. The asked my dad why he was speeding and my dad told him. Then he told the cop "here's my license, if you want to write me a ticket I'll pick it up on my way home." The cop shined his flashlight on me then told my dad he'd radio ahead and to drive carefully.
And that was the mid 80s.
I wish there was some way to indicate a medical emergency situation through a government website, which the officers could pick up through your license plate and thus not stop you.
I guess the problem is people are assholes and would use it as an excuse to speed.
@@nahor88 Probably, but if law enforcement could probably find a way to make it work if they really tried or cared, such, I dunno, escorting you to your emergency destination. I mean you’re going to have to stop eventually even if it’s because of a lack of fuel. And if you weren’t actually faking the medical emergency and thus you wouldn’t be trying to escape from them they’d be able to keep pace with you and verify it at the hospital.
@@nahor88 It was also just be another way for technology to be used to gather info and add more bureaucracy to an already overloaded system. Maybe thinking ahead and have a placard made with a suction cup that you can keep in your car for emergencies (especially if you are a caregiver) that says something like "Emergency: Headed to Hospital" or something like that.
Yeah they do not make cops like that anymore.
According to the 1983 US Supreme Court case of Berkimer V. McCarty, you only have to give what is legally required and you are under no obligation to answer any police questions.
Unfortunately, what is required varies from state to state. For example, some states require that you disclose if you are carrying a firearm to the officer. Some states require that you disclose it if asked. Some states require that passengers identify themselves. Some don't. You have to know the laws of your state and every state that you drive through.
@@---cr8nw no passenger has to id. That is 100% false no matter what state.
@@Bass_attack7755, perhaps. I'm only somewhat versed in my own state's laws. But the point stands. What is "legally required" changes several times as you traverse the country.
@@---cr8nw false. No passengers need to id on traffic stop.
@@Bass_attack7755, learn to read. I already responded to this and my point still stands. What is required varies from state to state, at the very least in regards to disclosing the presence of a firearm, but probably in regards to other things as well. f'ing nitwit.
Observation -- for military (active) -- we were "told" to show our military ID's when pulled over. What is your experience with having veteran tags (state issued license plates) and/or stickers showing "Veteran" or "Combat Veteran" or such? Are they considered "flags" to the cop pulling you over? I got pulled over by the Arkansas State Police a year ago...I had a state issued "Disabled Veteran" tag, retired military ID, and I was armed (gave him my CCP card). All he asked was where my gun was. I told him it was secure in the center console. He went back to his cruiser for 5 mins, came back and told me to take it easy on the twisty mountain roads (gave me a warning).
Yea. In my experience police give preferential treatment to military personelle. Even folks who haven't ever left training. Personally I think a well regulated military shouldn't act as a big brother for soldiers who act out of line in our society. Gives some of them the feeling they can do whatever.
@@private2809 Alright Priv. I can see its too late for my boots. I might be able to save my watch before it gets too thick.
you have a Chinese Communist Party card?
dafuqs?
@@KenMabie concealed carry permit but that is a good one
@@donnguyen3795 that's a ccw...
The best thing you can do when a cop pulls you over is to be respectful and polite. Always have your license, registration, and proof of insurance ready and your hands on the wheel or where the officer can see them. Have your inside light on if it’s dark. This will put the officer more at ease because he has no idea who or what he’s walking up on. The surest way to piss off a cop is to start spouting “I know my rights” Or fifth amendment stuff. Just show respect and, nine times out of ten, you will get it back. Most cops are just like you and me, trying to get through their shift so they can go home.
An X Police officer friend told me never fill out an accident report , tell the officer you want to speak to your Lawyer . Don't say anything . Speed cameras have to be properly calibrated after every speed check .
Thanks for the video Andy.
The thing that sucks about saying "My lawyer friend said not to answer questions/stay silent" is that it puts the officer on high alert. Even being completely innocent, that often leads to more suspicion and further interrogation by the officers. Which, being an innocent person, really can needlessly prolong a stop and cause unnecessarily confrontation with the officers.
Sounds like more officers need more training.
@@Consumer0001 Valid point.
Great point.
What you are saying is cops will punish you for demanding your rights.
@@stevesecret2515 According to this video, they'll punish you for telling the truth, too. Is one worse than the other?
"Do you know why I pulled you over?"
"Yes. A large part of your job is taking money out of the hands of hard working people who are just trying to get to work. It's just another form of tax. You'll do anything you can to get money from me, which is why you never give warnings and won't today."
Probably not a good answer, but it's accurate.
Attitude will get you a ticket for sure.
It's no longer serve and protect, now it's fine and collect.
Exactly right!
I've been let go probably the last 5 times I was pulled over. While I agree with the ideas given in this video, i have found that the officers in my area generally let you go with a warning if you answer their questions. 4 times all they asked was if i had been drinking, where i was coming from and where i was going. The answer was always the same, no drinks, from work, going home to bed. I was always exhausted and would get pulled over for crossing the centerline or something. all 4 times they said 'do me a favor and go straight home to bed, we don't need anyone getting hurt' and that was it. Once I was asked if they could search and although I wouldn't do it now, that time I consented. They didn't really even do a real search. Popped the trunk, looked in it without touching anything, shone the flashlight in the back seat, said 'go on, slow down'.
I was involved in an accident once and the cop asked me if I had any firearms. I said yes, in the car. He asked for my permit. I was expecting to get searched and handcuffed, thought they would take the gun and check it for illegal modifications, run the serial number to see if it was stolen, etc. Nope. He didn't even want to see it. Just asked me not to get back in my car until after they were done with the accident paperwork.
In Ohio I understand the cops hate concealed carry and will harrass people endlessly, people have had to sue the police departments over it. But where I live, they are cool with it.
The best answer to the question, “Do you know why I pulled you over?” “Yes, because you got all “C’s in high school.” You’ll get arrested, but it might be worth it.
Because I have donuts in here🤣😆🤣😆
Mr. attorney I want to say thank you for taking your personal time did you leave videos I think they’re informative and I think they healthy. Look, nobody is talking about getting away with illegal activities but if we don’t enforce our constitution we won’t have one anymore thank you again.
I've found that if you're heading to work when you get stopped, tell them you're heading to work. I've been let go twice for traffic infractions I was blatently guilty of, once going through a red light that was taking too long to change, and work was my honest excuse..
MANY cops don't want to mess up the "regular guy" just going to work.
I drive a work van with full graphics and I think I "get away" with a lot of minor infractions because of that. THEY understand.
"Do you know why I pulled you over?" "I don't know, do you know why you pulled me over?"
"You don't mind if I search the car do you?" "I don't consent to any searches of my person, my things, or my vehicle."
I don’t mind,, but I’m going to decline anyway.
They will search anyway, I don't know why they even bother asking anyone.
@@joemiller9931 Illegal search = illegal evidence = case goes out of the window
I like Fluffy's answer to "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
"Because you can smell them" as he points to a box of donuts!
This made me giggle!
I'm glad you gave credit to Gabriel, unlike the other guy a few comments up who made the joke like he just came up with it.
Excellent advice! Thank you very much.
Decades ago, a crafty TX DPS officer ticketed me for speeding along a lonely country road (that was the quickest direction to the hospital). I was on my way to the bedside of a dying parishioner. The cop could care less (even "Reverend" on my business card didn't sway him), so I invited him to follow me into the dyeing person's hospital room. He declined. When he roared out of sight, I resumed my race, made it to the saint's side, among the family, just in time for final thoughts and prayers. I learned years later that I could have contested the citation in court, with the proof of the funeral's worship bulletin. Who knew? I was young and dumb. (The officer's unconcerned and unkind actions, that day, became sermonic illusions through remainder of my career.) I continue to pray for Texas law enforcement.
Except I doubt highly that a reverend going to a dying parishioner's bedside is a valid reason to speed in any state. Probably still would have lost that one.
All American cops need our prayers. The job promotes a deterioration in their moral character. We need to pray for their souls.
I just wish Police were held to the same level of scrutiny the rest of us are. So many of them are on a power trip, mad at the world with something to prove. Probably were bullied in school for being weird. So here's my story.
This was in Iowa, My friend and I were walking out of a bar one time, both drunk, headed to his GF's car who was our sober ride home. There were cops outside dealing some sort of fight that spilled out in to the street from a different bar (it was a strip of bars at a college spot) and they thought we were involved, so they came up to us, directed toward my friend, "Hey fellas, you boys been drinking tonight?" and my friends verbatim response was "I don't talk to cops." And he turned to walk around him and the cop said, "Oh really? We'll see about that" grabbed him, and hauled him off to jail and charged him with Public Intoxication. By the "letter of the law" was he guilty of that crime? Yes. But then again. EVERYONE Who goes in to any one of these dozen+ bars on this street and has 1 drink, (unless they have a teleporter), is technically breaking the law when you're drunk and you step out of the establishment. Even if to cross the sidewalk and get in a parallel parked car, that is breaking the law. A cop friend of mine from a different part of the state said, not only that, but technically, being drunk AS A PASSENGER in a car on a road at all, is Public Intoxication. So if you were pulled over, the cop saw you had a sober driver with multiple drunk passengers, he could take all the passengers to jail and charge them with Public Intoxication if he wanted. I only know about Iowa, but this seems totally broken, and totally goes against the "Spirit of the law" no pun intended.
F. T. P.
Pretty meek comment. I want police held to higher standards and subject to greater scrutiny than average people. Avoid being meek about the police.
"You thought there were donuts and coffee in my car" is always the proper response to an an officer when questioned why you were stopped. 😉
The *ultimate* *truth*
Nice. Rip off Gabriel Iglesias without giving him credit.
"Is it because you really like my haircut and you want to know who does it?" "You saw my dog in the back seat and wanted to pet him"
You're feeling lonely? 😜🤣
If you say that you better be white.
I've found, when they finally realize that someone has no idea of their rights, they'll try to find a reason to mess with them. Like they'll say stuff like "You don't seem to like me." Or "You don't look quite right, is there something wrong with you?" Then they just wait for to them say the wrong thing and then use whatever excuse. Even they have to feel motivated. So don't give them a motive.
I always like how they ask "do you mind if I search your car" where basically saying YES is actually NO. I had one try that on me. Flustered people will automatically say NO as if the question was "may I search your car" and boom you just gave consent to the question of "do you MIND if I search your car". When asked "do you mind if I search your car" my reply was "I'm not falling for that trick of saying no. Yes, yes I do mind if you search my car. To further clarify I do not give consent to any search of anything". The look on his face was great.
"Two beers" is the same things patients say. I worked as a nurse in a hospital emergency department. When patients showed up intoxicated and suffering from some kind of medical problem, they would always say "I had two beers." One time I reached my breaking point with it and asked "Are you talking about the first two or the last two?"
Oh..it reslly was 2 beers..but he forgot to mention they were 32 oz each.😂
Officer: "Do you know what the speed limit is?" You: "NO." It's better for you to say nothing at all.
or
Officer: "Do you know how fast your were going?" You "NO." It's better for you to say nothing at all.
Remember, the officer is going to write everything you said on his/her copy of the ticket. You're going to have to explain your statements to the judge. You don't have to explain SILENCE to the judge. IMO (retired police officer) hand the officer your DL and insurance and say nothing at all. Obey if you are ORDERED to exit the car. If asked to do a field sobriety test, say "No thank you. I respectfully request to consult with an attorney."
I've been a police officer for over 20 years and I always ask these questions. The best answer to tell an officer is not what this attorney said, "My lawyer friend told me not to speak/talk to you." I would not do this because you will turn off the officer or get him to just write you the ticket. The best thing to say (without admitting guilt) when an officer pulls you over and asks you "do you know why I pulled you over?" your response should be, "I'm not sure but i'm sure you have good reason to stop me." Here you didn't admit guilt, and your having a friendly conversation with the officer. I'm not saying your not going to get the citation but your not being totally rude or saying your not going to speak to him. It all depends on what your doing wrong. If its minor infraction then there might be a chance of a verbal warning but if you come across rude or abrupt then you probably going to get a citation. Remember all officer are human, they just have a job to keep the public safe!
Thank you Officer Rhodes, will definitely say as you recommend if pulled over.
Acting like that has gotten me out of a ton of pullovers, not all of course, and egregious ones I pled guilty (no DWIs) though.
The nature of the stop certainly matters; the problem for us citizens is that we don't know if it's just a minor infraction stop or not. It's tricky how to draw the line between not being a jerk and not incriminating yourself.
Do you know why I pulled you over? No I would think you do.
@@Nolaman70 Is that what the officer said to you when you said "no"? How did you reply and how did it work out?
I have tried these tactics - they only made the cop more ANGRY!!! It was in Alexandria, VA - I was the passenger, he demanded to see my ID. I asked if I was being detained, and if so, for what reason? He just got up in my face and yelled, "YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID!" Honestly, I had no clue. Then he tells me, 'In the state of VA, you MUST show your ID if asked" otherwise I'd be arrested. I knew it was total BS, but I wanted to get on with my night... once they ran my license, and found nothing - he was pissed, but let me leave. I hate cops like this - they make a bad name for most who are good, kind, and truly love serving!!!
Yeah he was mad you didn't consent to his fishing expedition..
Agreed. And you have no idea what kind of cop you are dealing with.
Virginia is nuts...when I make the run from NY to S. Carolina or Florida, always chill until im out of Virginia...they love NY tags
I'm always respectful and apologetic to cops when they pull me over.
Haven't gotten anything but warnings for probably 20 years.
Andrew, you just save me some money. Thanks.
If you answer the question: "Do you know why I pulled you over?" with anything but a "no", then you are admitting guilt and make their job much easier (less paperwork, etc...). If you do say, "no", then they actually have to go through the whole process of informing you of what you did wrong, as well as prove and document it, which is time consuming and if contested they have to show up in court and process more paperwork. Most are there to make quota and get their tickets out in the month. I believe some agencies take silence as admission, so do your research on your local laws if you do refrain from answering questions from a peace officer.
in the past when i've been asked "do you mind if i search..?" - i've had great success with being genuine as i proclaim "i'd rather just be on my way, officer"
That's a great one
I like "Am I being detained, officer?" It's a totally relevant and understandable question, it shows respect for the law, and if I were a cop, it would be less rankling and suspicious-sounding than stating outright that I refuse to answer any questions.
Generally, showing respect for the law is key. If he tells me that I clipped a light, without admitting anything I ask exactly what is the line at which it becomes a citable offense. I act interested, as if I want to do better. I have gotten out of several tickets this way.
If you are being pulled over... you can rest assured, 100%, that you are being detained until they hand you your stuff back. That's what the courts have ruled and that's what those red and blues mean on top of the car.
@@Whiskey11Gaming Obviously you can't drive away if they have your license. But you can still ask the question knowing the answer. It's a tactic to show respect and interest in the status of your stop.
@@EdwardCurrent from my perspective, as a LEO, it makes you sound very ignorant to ask "am I being detained?" When it is quite obvious, on a traffic stop, you are.
When it's less obvious if you are being detained, the question has merit, but a traffic stop? No.
@@Whiskey11Gaming Okay, I totally accept that. I've actually never said it when pulled over, but I feel like it would be appropriate if the stop is dragging on for some reason and the driver is unclear why they are being interrogated...as a polite way of saying, what do you want/why are you asking me this.
I fully expect law enforcement officers to plant criminal evidence.
Tell me? Where is he going to get "evidence". I had a guy claimed I planted a Berretta 92F tat was stolen out of NY. I told him, "Yeah right! I'm going to fly to NY, steal a $500 gun and plant it on you? What makes you so special?". He was found guilty. A year later, I saw him at a 7-11 and asked if I could search his car?. He said, "Go ahead". I found a bindle of "Coke" and he said, "You planted that on me!". I said, "You used that excuse the last time. How'd that work out for you?". The most moronic excuse I ever heard.
@@rickuyeda4818 I can understand why you didn't pass the fire department written test, if you took it. I've been trained by, trained and worked extensively for decades with various local, state, Federal, military and foreign law enforcement officers and agents. I don't know to say this in simple to understand words. Let me try: some cops are naughty. They are bad. Yes. Bad boys that do naughty things. Really, gosh, golly, gee! I know good cops from bad cops. If you don't know of any, . . . Some years ago, working with game wardens and state troopers on two separate incidents, one with poaching and another with growing and transport of an illegal substance, both groups independently warn me that the local sheriff and deputies were dirty. And guess what? They were right! One of my brothers was in a department that was diligent in getting bad cops (remember the naughty ones I told you about. They were being bad boys) demoted or fired. Dear old dad resigned when a police detective beat, pistol whipped, a confession out of a suspect my dear old dad brought in. He said if that was police work he wanted nothing to do with it. You don't need a $500 firearm to plant as evidence, unless it was "picked up" somewhere on a past case. An oversized knife, a bit of illegal narcotics, a few prescription pills scarfed earlier. If you are not aware of evidence and what makes it, may you should refresh yourself. I support good law enforcement officers: professionals. I don't support bad law enforcement officers. They are criminals behind badges. If you don't know the difference between one and the other, that's what's wrong with today's law enforcement.
@@rickuyeda4818 The evidence room, obviously.
@@brianleeper5737 Then it's already in evidence for something else. Everything has to be tagged and catalogued. Even if the officer took evidence from one crime and tried to plant it on someone else, then he would have less evidence for the first crime. So if the officer is going to plant evidence it more likely be his own personal belongings. Also like Rick said "What makes you so special?" So it doesn't make sense for an officer to plant evidence on someone they don't know.
Yeah, what’s wrong with these people. Like how in the world could an officer of the law get access to evidence? 🤔
The last time I was pulled over it was 2 am in Portland, just left a bar with 4 women, I was the DD and had no alcohol at all. Anyway, he watched me leave the bar and immediately pulled me over, I knew my speed and the posted limit. He said exactly that. “Do you know why I pulled you over?” I said “no”. He said. “You were speeding”. I said, “no I wasn’t. I was going 40 and the posted limit 2 blocks back was 45”. He said, “well you got a tail light out” I was perturbed so I said “ good one, got any other bullshit to sell me?” He ordered me out of the car as if to show me and the ladies in the car who was boss. I stepped out and took one quick step towards him as I was very irritated and he nearly fell on his ass back peddling and slapping his hand on his gun. I said sorry, I must have stumbled. He was more than a head shorter than me (and I ain’t even that tall) and pretty portly so the sight made the girls laugh. Well that did it, he tells me to put my hands on my head and all that bull.. He tried to get me on all sorts of crap but got away with a warning as one of the 15 or so police that showed up (yeah about 8 cop cars pulled up with lights and all) must have told him to drop it. He even tried telling me to stop resisting as he put cuffs on because he had trouble getting my wrists close together, I am x large framed guy and very inflexible (no I’m not a fatty) It was a fun night
You were lucky you weren't tased, beat up or shot. If that story is even true.
Were you able to get the arrest purged from your record?
@@legitpancake4276 he said he got a warning, nothing to purge or expunge about a warning. if i had to guess, i'd say the fun night, as he put it, involved 4 drunk ladies showing gratitude for being delivered to their destinations... then again i over "trivialize" everything lol
@@legitpancake4276 I was never technically arrested. Just “detained”.
I had dropped off a friend back to her car so she could go home. Downtown makes you pay for parking, so it’s easier to just meet in a parking lot then have everyone ride together and only pay for one car. Anyway a cop followed me and assumed I was drinking. I had not been. He breathylized me and I blew 0.00. He was PISSED. Start screaming that he knew I had been drinking and that I must’ve done something to cheat his device and other nonsense. Ordered me to turn around and put my hands on the car.
Another squad car rolled up and asked what the situation was. I said I blew 0.00 but he’s accusing me of being drunk. The cop told me to shut up while yelling that I “broke his breathalyzer” or some nonsense and that he knew I had been drinking or must be high or something and was going to search me to prove it. Should’ve seen the look on the other cop’s face when he realized this cop was nuts. Told him to stop acting like jackass and let me go.
I was going home from a liquor promotion one afternoon. I had worked a 3 hour shift, and had a small sip of the product I was sampling, just so I could describe it to potential customers. I was looking at my map while driving home from a town I was unfamiliar with. I was pulled over for swerving. He ran the whole gamut of tests on me to determine if I was drunk. He even had a 2nd police car there to redirect traffic around me. We were near a lake & it was kind of windy. The sleeves of my blouse were blowing in the wind like wings. It was actually hilarious. The officer was very young, and I was guessing he was told to pull over a woman just to practice the whole procedure. I remained compliant, and let him run the series of tests. He gave me a warning about swerving, and not looking at my phone for directions.
As soon as I left a gas station one night after work I got pulled over. As soon as the officer lit me up I realized I didn't turn my headlights on. He asked me the usual. He said "I suppose you know why I pulled you over". It was obvious that I did because as soon as he pulled out behind me I turned on my lights. Then he asked me if I was just getting off work and I told him I was. If I would have taken this guy's advice and clammed up, it likely would have annoyed the cop and he would have given me a ticket instead of a warning.
This guys advice more then likely will result in you needing his services. I have gotten out countless tickets or had the infractions reduced by just being straight up with them.
@@james10165 this advice is only for people who actually have something to hide. 99% of police will respect the fact of an honest mistake.
I got pulled over for going 75 in a 45 because I was rushing to retrieve my Dad from his broken down car when it was 8 degrees outside. He understood, and though he gave me a citation, asked the judge to dismiss the citation due to exigent circumstances, so I got 2 hours of driving school, and nothing on my record.
Glad to finally find a smart comment with smart replies around here! David, James and Alyss it's a relief to find rational people commenting around here for a change!
As for myself, I once blew a red light simply not thinking. Even worse, I did it right in front of a cop. I KNOW he saw it. No way he could not have! I was already pulled over just as he hit his lights and turned. I flat out said to him "I'm sorry sir, I know I completely blew that light, I am in a rush and I just didn't think. Me and my girlfriend are heading over to Jersey for a bbq my guard unit is having today so I've just been in a rush."
I blew a red light IN FRONT OF A COP and he let me go with a warning. Because I wasn't being an irritating, inhuman jerk.
@@johnroscoe2406 Almost this exact thing happened to me. I started to stop at a yellow, but then decided I didn't have time. Also a car was right behind me and I was worried it might hit me. The light turned red just as I was entering the intersecton. Turned out the cop behind me was a cop. He lit me up even before I got through the intersection. He asked me where I worked. It just so happened he knew a guy from there and let him stay at his house while he was in the final stages of cancer. He made me chat with him for several minutes and then let me off the hook. If I would have taken this lawyer's advice I would have ended up with a heavy fine.
"Do you know why I pulled you over?" Dude if i could read minds i would be driving a McLaren.
Not so perfect answer but tempting: “What? Don’t you know either?
@@jimarcher5255 "I don't know a thing about police work."
Nice choice.
Because you got all C's in high school.
This is amazing, quality, informative, useful content! Thank you! You also have a great presence on camera. Keep it up, thank you!
Enjoy your ticket that probably would have just been a warning because you took this attorney's "advice."
We get it John. You love the taste of boots😂😂😂
I’ve always answered that “I was probably speeding as I usually am.” 9 out of 10 they appreciate my honesty and give me a warning.
Thank you, Mr. Flusche. I try to be meticulous about driving (as best I can be), and in the two traffic tickets I have had early in my 30+ years of licensed driving, the officer kept asking questions that seemed irrelevant, but I answered, and I still got a ticket on a main road of a hick town. After watching this, I will save my breath. My perspective has always been to tell them the truth, and that saying "fifth amendment" will just provoke them. I carry absolutely nothing illegal in my car, don't drink, etc., so some police stops seem like harrassment. But hey, if I have nothing to be worried about, and I am on a road out of my area where the police are actually exceptional, I will do as you suggest. Thanks for answering this lingering question.
Wow! This is instruction for protecting personal freedom in its purest form. It is overwhelming difficult for some people to simply not speak, but practically anything you say will be incriminating and shaped into something unintended. The police are trained and practiced; just be silent. Also, consider that police do not recieve advancement or awards for not writing tickets. The Captain does not want to hear the officers say "I saw no violations today". Lastly, they are not on our side; they are on each other's side first, foremost, and always. There is no exception.
Unfortunately so. Now, bearing in mind that I’m referring to cops in the UK, but yeah there a few instances where they can actually be useful and it would be wrong to assume that they’re all evil bastards out to get you. I’ve had very little interaction with them but the few times I have, they’ve been decent. But that’s probably because they’ve been called because there’s been a fight out on the street or one of the psycho neighbours in our block of flats are disturbing the peace again and thus I suppose I’m a witness or bystander.
I’ve never been on the receiving end and I’m sure that’s a very different experience and I’ve seen enough recordings of corrupt cops abusing their power enough to make sure I know my rights and how to respond. It’s not a good feeling to know that I’ll only be treated as a full human being by chance-that the individual cop is a decent one-and it’s equally likely I’ll get a bad, corrupt one.
The same goes for prosecutors. It's simply in the best interest of their careers to obtain as many convictions as possible. I went to court after pleading not guilty to a ticket for running a stop sign, and right before the session was called to order, the prosecutor called me over and told me that the officer would be there any minute to testify (no doubt believing I was just rolling the dice on whether he would show up), but he (the prosecutor) would give me one last chance to plead no contest, pay a reduced fine, take defensive driving, etc. Something seemed fishy to me, so I declined and said I'd like to continue with the bench trial. Then when my case was called, the prosecutor revealed that the complaint was defective because the court clerk had listed an incorrect address for where I was pulled over, rendering it invalid. He asked the judge to allow him to dismiss the complaint and refile it with the correct info, which the judge allowed. So then I had to go back AGAIN a couple of months or so later, at which time the case was dismissed because the officer didn't appear to testify. But the prosecutor was flat out lying to me before the first scheduled trial. I think he was pretty pissed off when I called his bluff and he had to show his hand to the judge.
Thank you.
Some laws in Britain are different but by and large similar, so these videos still make good pointers with only a check on British law needed.
Yes but on the other hand your country does not allow attorneys (barristers?) to DIRECTLY advertise to people, and that's all THESE videos really amount to.
4:07 You're also forgetting related to the search about civil asset forfeiture. They claim that what you have that is legal such as cash money is associated with drugs or crime and take it from you without charging you.
That's big business for some of these departments, especially the small ones.
When it comes to military service, most judges will offer a defendant a mitigating diversion program.
I turned right at a red light with a "no turn on red" sign. The cop pulled me over and asked if I knew why. I replied that the intersection was a "no turn on red" intersection, and the officer actually told me that most people don't know (or don't admit to), and because of that he let me off without even a warning.
Obviously this isn't everyone's experience, but everyone should remember to always be polite.
top rules for whenever your interacting with police. dont admit to doing anything, if they ask for permission to do something say no (if they could do it without permission they would not even bother asking), dont take everything they say as true police can and will lie to you in order to get you in trouble, say as little as you possibly can to them until you have a lawyer present. also if a police officer says something like "im giving you a chance here to explain your side of the story so i dont have to bring you in" politely decline. for all you know the officer might be fishing for reasons to bring you in because he does not have enough reason to do so yet. never give a police officer anything without a lawyer present.
in a perfect world the police would follow their motto and only try to protect and serve, in our world they will do everything they can to find a reason to get you in trouble. be polite but dont be stupid.
The debate over asking for consent even with probable cause to search rages in law enforcement circles every day.
Consent is significantly harder to argue against in court by defense attorneys than probable cause. If consent is granted and they find something, that's almost always a death knell for any case unless the original reason for the stop was BS.
The case against it is that PC is PC and they don't need consent at that point, so just do it. It also looks shady if you have PC, ask for consent, are granted consent and right before something is found, consent is revoked and you say "Well, I have PC anyway so I'm going to continue my search"
Great video! When I was a young man, I had been in my share of trouble (and jail cells Lol). Now as an old (retired) man, I know these videos would have really helped me in the "the good old days". Not so much anymore though😒.... Keep em' coming!
When I joined the Army back in the 80s, I truthfully answered the, "How many times have you used marijuana?" question by saying I'd tried it twice. This resulted in me being one of a handful out of 200+ who were pulled aside and asked additional questions about drug use.
We should have a lawyer for almost everything we do ¡🤬
Did you inhale?
@@YTEdy I tried, but I guess I wasn't doing it right because it had no discernable effect. Hence the reason I gave up after two attempts.
@@dmhiix I'm surprised that this isn't more common knowledge, but that's often the case. It happened with me. The first 3 or 4 times I smoked pot, I didn't get stoned. I don't know why that is but it's not uncommon. Same with another person I know. It often doesn't affect people the first couple times.
I guess people don't share this information cause they don't want to encourage people to try it again, but it's true.
I was a partier in HS and I kept trying and not long after the first few tries, I got stoned silly.
I don't smoke anymore - this was when I was young and stupid.
At my Navy induction. Some people came into the room and escorted one of us to an exit. Found out later that he had answered "yes" to the question, "Have you or any relative ever taken arms against the USA or advocated for the violent overthrow of its government. He was brought back a few minutes later with a big grin on his face, and his escorts were also smiling.
His name? Robert E. Lee, great-grandson of the famous one.
Id say about 2/3 of the time I have been pulled over I dont get a ticket. The times I have, they did not want to talk or ask me any questions, they just asked for license and registration. The times they started talking asking if I knew if I was pulled over or knew I was speeding ect, I've just been super polite and honest, and for whatever reason they have mostly let me off with a warning. My wife has never been let off with a warning for some reason. I'm not suggesting this works for every situation, but I think being polite and honest may sway some discretion in your favor.
When they ask… “Do you know why I pulled you over?”
Say this:
“Is it about the murder?”
That’s a real conversation starter!
You Want a bribe? ,
You had no else to harass?
"Do you know why I pulled you over?"
"Yeah. I knew it was gonna happen, sooner or later.... I won't be saying anything else, until my lawyer is present...."
"Because you're looking for anonymous gay sex?" 😄
"He shot first!"
Never used it yet, but "END OF MONTH QUOTAS?"
I've found in my experience that police can, and sometimes will, go above and beyond to ruin your day if you are totally uncooperative. I find it best to be politely dumb. Appear passive, address them as sir or ma'am, but the answer to anything they want to know is either "no" or "I don't know". I've known people who have been uncooperative, or worse, belligerent and the officer will somehow find *something* to ticket them on. For me, it's almost always just a verbal warning.
Easier to talk your way INTO a ticket than out of one.
Love this video and appreciate it. It is a bit sad that we have to watch every little thing we say to those we instill power to enforce our laws. The public/police relationship shouldn’t be adversarial yet we have to have videos like this to protect us.
Here’s a thought, don’t do something to get pulled over
I don’t drink (specifically because I nearly always have to drive and I have an gear addiction to spend my money on) so most of the time I’ve ever been stopped I’m either going to or from work or going out to do astrophotography.
I prefer to keep all interactions as civil as possible so I usually haven’t had any issues.
While I know that the best possible answer is to invoke the 5th, I’ve seen many police interactions where this leads to undue hostility from the officer. (Yea I know that that kind of conduct, many times is unconstitutional on the part of the officer) but it’s a huge time suck that I would prefer to avoid.
I guess what I’m getting at is: Is there any harm in saying, “just headed home from work, or going out to take some pictures of the sky” or something like that?
Not asking for legal specifics, just in general
Eh...their next question is usually related to drinking regardless of how you answer. And the only people who are gonna be sweating bullets at that point... are those that should have walked home.
"I won't be answering any questions."
"Why not?"
"That's a question."
I did jury duty and the cops arrested a woman who had called them. Her boyfriend had assaulted her so she called the cops. The boyfriend was known for dealing drugs etc. So they got on the premise, a cop found a random spoon in the boyfriends car and claimed it was used for drugs. They arrested the beaten woman. She spent a year in jail and the cop got promoted for his find. The cop was put on the stand and admitted to have just focused on the spoon and had no interest in helping the woman. The judge and everyone although they did not say it thought it was the dumbest thing. They dismissed the case and set the poor woman free. But a spoon in the wrong persons car sent this woman to a year in jail.
That dynamite in the car was hilarious 😂
Once I thought that I was having a heart attack so I pulled over and told a cop. He said, "I think that you're all right. Just go home." I made it home, my wife called 911, and I went to the hospital. No heart attack but I was having a "heart episode of unknown cause." Thanks, public servant.
Had no idea you could decline to answer questions (at your discretion) or even a search! Thank you for pointing out.
Rights and the Consttitution need to be taught in school from kindergarten to 12th grade. Schools teach us to be obedient and submissive to authority which contributes to the culture of incarceration in this country.
@@edub6205 to be fair, I don’t know why people wouldn’t look up this vital and easily found information on their own.
You had no idea of your own constitutional right, which is literally rule number 5? Jesus.
I watch your videos and for the most part they are informative
I am a retired New York State cop I started in the 1990s everyone that showed me military ID or better yet LEO ID....
I let them go ( officially warned and admonished) I think it's a big disservice telling military people not to inform law enforcement that they served.
I do admit times have changed but as for myself I still use Master Shield
So you gave law enforcement and prior service a break New York state troopers are I've always been clowns I'm an OTR driver you guys never missed an opportunity to disappoint just like family members you're not in the club and the funny part about it you think you're the good guy
US Navy 85 to 89 two tours in the Persian Gulf E5 expeditionary medal winner CDL holder 32 years state troopers are nothing but thugs you always give a ticket to the trucker right shaking your head
I already never give them permission to search my car, and though they have asked, the most they have ever done when I said no is take a dog around the outside of the car. Also, when they asked if they know why they pulled me over I say "no sir". I have only ever had 2 tickets and the only criminal charge ever stuck on me was at age 17. I am 48.
These are very helpful videos. Can you please do a video to address how to find and get in touch with the right kind of attorney when you've never needed one before and the police are at your door.
3:55 What should we say when an officer questions a comical amount of dynamite in the front seat?
Still "no" and ask for a lawyer. Police officers are no prosecutors. Anyway, no police officer will be so stupid to search your car, when the bomb is visual in plain sight. He will demand you to leave the car, and keep a large distance from the car. Next to that he will call the bomb squad. Good luck with your miranda rights to them 😂
Tell him you are sorry but the trunk is already full
Hey Andrew, love your channel and I was wondering about a question I have? If a cop pulls over a vehicle for speeding or your parked somewhere and a cop comes up, does he have the right to ask for the ID of a passenger? I see this in videos where the cop just seems nosey and then starts demanding the id of the passenger when the passenger had nothing to do with the initial stop.
It's going to depend upon the state. There's no ID law in VA for vehicle passengers.
I live in California. Are we one of the states that can ask for it?
I hate to say it but Andrew gave a very incomplete and woefully misleading answer. Per the SCOTUS, in ALL states, the 4th Amendment precludes cops from demanding ID unless there is "reasonable articulable suspicion of a crime" (being committed, or has committed, or will commit) - also known as RAS. Unfortunately, RAS is a test the courts apply in court, and cops have zero duty to tell your passenger their RAS on the roadside. *Therefore, cops can NOT ask a passenger for ID on a traffic stop without RAS.*
Some states have codified (created statutes/laws) this concept and they are called "Stop and ID states". *But every one of those laws still has to comply with the 4th Amendment and RAS!* Many of these laws give police the right to "demand" ID but provide no duty or penalty for refusing. Many focus on penalties for giving false information. Best to read the law in your state (google "stop and id states map", wikipedia has a pretty detailed article on it). As wiki pointed out, only 7 states explicitly impose a criminal penalty for noncompliance with the obligation to identify oneself. Also, I believe that's a secondary offense, meaning, ultimately they cannot charge you with failure to ID unless they are ALSO charging you with some other crime.
To specifically answer your question, I've seen similar videos and many more where cops ask for (or unlawfully demand) ID from 1st Amendment auditors. The cops are usually full of shit and violating rights at that point. My best layman's advice is 1) If you want to avoid being harassed and possibly unlawfully arrested - ID yourself, 2) If you are being arrested or cited, ID yourself, 3) if you're not worried about #1 and #2 doesn't apply, feel free to not ID yourself and call their bluff. Personally, I'd demand that the cop give RAS (even though I know they have no duty to do so for me roadside) and if they couldn't give me a reason that passed the smell test, I'd refuse.
I've seen a video of a woman sleeping in her car after shopping at the grocery store. She was waiting for a hard rain storm to pass before leaving and felt it was safer to wait. Cops show up, demand ID and smash both of her driver side windows. Highly illegal but they do it any way.
@@sd906238 That's outrageous! Do you have a link for that?
In Canada here. Laws are about the same. Invoke section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and say you don't wish to answer any questions. A lawyer once told me to begin any police encounter with "I'm tired, I'm thirsty, I'm hungry, I need to go to the bathroom." It apparently can somehow help you if it ever goes to court, you can say you were under duress.
I want him to tell me I have a burned out tail light that I obviously do not know anything about. Why pick a fight when you are undoubtedly going to just get off with a warning otherwise?
Great stuff as always!
If they’re not in your car, the odds nonexistent “evidence” will find its way inside is next to zero.
If you have a (legal) concealed weapon, a lot of states have a "duty to inform" law, so check and make sure. In Texas they can inspect your firearm but this by no means gives them the right to search.
When they ask me where have I been or where am I going? I say none of your business!
I was pulled over only one time in 1989. I had a broken and inoperable speedometer so when the cop asked if I knew how fast I was going I played along as I wasn’t going to get fined for the broken speedo as well! 33 years later and counting now without getting pulled over again but I probably just jinxed it.
My standard response to their fishing expedition is “what does that have to do with why you pulled me over?”. I prefer to answer irrelevant questions with relevant questions.
As long as you're being respectful of the officer 😜
I like to think I have a chance of driving off without a ticket. Yes, it has happened!
@@hogroamer260 you can talk your way out of a ticket with a rational officer. Once they start asking irrelevant questions, you know are are not dealing with a rational officer, so there is no point in getting your hopes up.
Don't think I've ever not had " Do you know why I pulled you over?" Guess they are all unreasonable.
@@hogroamer260 that wouldn’t be an irrelevant question. Things like “where are you coming from?”, “where are you going?”, those are irrelevant questions.
I've found that if you made an obvious error, like going through a stop sign or red light, and they pull you over, being honest usually makes them be nicer to you. Always works for me.
Did you watch the fucking video or not?
Technically, "Do you know why you've been pulled over" is a closed-ended question, as it tends to invite a yes or no answer. The open-ended version might be "Why do you think you've been pulled over?" as it's asking for something more than yes or no.
I was kinda hoping you knew why officer...
@@Magicarpmaster Good reply lol.
I have no idea
I don't think they would like my gut reaction which is to say if you are checking my psychic ability then I fail.
It is closed ended but people being people will blurt out a reason instead of yes or no. People are their own worst enemy which is why attorneys say to claim up and stop talking.
I got stopped about 10 or 15 years ago for rolling thru a stop sign. I knew I did it but I was talking to my 6 year old son and was a little distracted. We had just left McDonald's so I had also taken off my seatbelt to get my wallet.
The officer asked "do u know why I stopped you?"
I told him " I'm not sure but I probably rolled thru that stop sign back there"
He said " you also don't have your seatbelt on"
I hadn't realized it but I had forgot to put it back on. I told him we'd just left the McDonald's and explained I ha gotten my wallet out.
He let me slide on the stop and wrote me for the seatbelt violation, which wasn't a moving violation. I believe my honesty is why he didn't write me two tickets. Not every law enforcement officer is the devil.😂
As a cycling educator, I define "traffic" as "people who are getting from where they were to where they intend to be."
So, to the question "Where are you coming from?" my answer is "I don't see how that's relevant to why you stopped me," which is only a little less snarky than "Where I was."
I'm very much about "NO" as a complete sentence in a LOT of facets of life, but especially if a cop asks me to talk to them. I'm happy to say things like "I don't feel compelled to give you a direct answer to that question without first consulting my attorney," or "If you really want to do this, we can wait for my attorney to come here and make this stop far longer than it has to be."
And then say nothing.
There is nothing I can say that won't be misused against me by any cop I encounter. "Officer Friendly" is a myth.
If you have thirteen hundred good cops, and twelve bad cops, you have 1 3 1 2 bad cops.
Hi
I 100 % agree .
No cop is your friend. But we sometimes need them and always wish they could be friendy , but definately need them to be God fearing and respectfull and respectable.
God bless us all
In a previous video I said "no" and plead the fifth. Some silly member of youtube got triggered and said that I was stupid. That just shows me that some people will never learn, and will probably argue with lawyers how to respond to police officers.
So, your advice is simply say "no", but the officer isn't going to just say "OK" and let you go on your way. He's going to continue to press you for answers.
I agree... coming from first hand knowledge, living in northern VA (close to this guy's office) I tried this and was told - if I didn't comply, by showing my ID. I would be arrested, since I wasn't in the mood to be hauled to the police station, I just did it after about 20 minutes of simply asking what I had done... I wasn't driving, I was taking the metro - why do I require my license or ID? I guess now it's "SHOW ME DA PAPERS" even if this cop couldn't tell me what I had done. JERK!!
@@GunnWrights Your youtube account name is "Gunn Wrights." Something tells me you're just a questionable person by default so excuse me if I don't sympathize with you nor 100% believe you.
@@johnroscoe2406 prejudiced much?
@@edub6205 against ignorant hicks? Yes.
In the 60s, actor/comedian Paul Lynne was pulled over on the 101 from erratic driving. He actually pulled up onto a sidewalk. When the officer approached he rolled down his window and said he'd like a cheeseburger, large fries and a medium coke, to go." The officer had his car towed and drove him home. Oh how times have changed.
Most police are so star struck with celebrities that they will not even think of giving them a ticket!
Hey @Andrewflusche , thank you for making this video. Could you please make a video explaining your rights or defense when it comes to vehicle exemption searches.
The best was when I was genuinely confused because he pulled me over for supposedly not stopping when I definitely did stop at the stop sign but he got annoyed and gave me a ticket. It’s especially great that I see 95% of people at that stop sign actually just go right through without even really slowing down and of course those are the people who aren’t punished for that at all.
My last traffic stop during the Covid lockdown I was given a warning for double parking illegally. My registration was also expired and I mentioned that I really couldn’t get it renewed with the RMV rules constantly changing. I was given a verbal warning on both and the police officer let go with showing my license and he didn’t run it, he just looked at it.
You're not legally required to answer any cop's questions. Not, 'where you coming from?' or 'where you going?' or 'what have you been doing?' or 'how much you had to drink?' You can just say 'I don't answer questions without my attorney present.' Here's my license, registration, proof of insurance.' The cop IS required to tell you why he stopped you & what he's charging/ticketing you for. Of course, at first it helps to be cordial.
I know these tactics are not as successful at the border. Although I have traveled across borders all around the US and throughout the world, the one here in Detroit is extremely problematic. Each time I have tried to cross and limit my responses to the questions being asked, not offering or volunteering additional information, border control has gotten very irritated and have detained me for a search and additional questioning, which lasted hours. Although of course nothing was ever found, it nevertheless was a huge inconvenience to me. Their irritation seemed to be that they didn't find me deferential enough or people-pleasing driven. In fact, I was simply responding to what they asked and no more. I also found some of their questions confusing, and so I did answer them in a way that was meant to be specific, but they took his being sassy. For example, one guy questioned my out-of-state license and plates. At that time, I was a grad student and there was no issue with him, plus it's beyond the purview of the border crossing. When I answered that I was a grad student and therefore had my car registered in my home state, he then asked me if I worked in Michigan. I explained once again that I was a grad student - because as a grad student, I received a stipend. Therefore, I didn't really know what the answer was in the context he was asking . I have no idea why he disliked this answer, but it triggered him. I was told by the staff while they were searching my car that I had essentially been flagged for having an attitude problem. So far as I know, that is not probable cause and also simply answering the questions literally is not an attitude problem. So I do agree with some who have said that sometimes protecting your rights can result in escalation or harassment. However, I am wondering how one should respond if you do have a gun in the car with a proper concealed carry permit. Are you required to disclose it if you are properly licensed?
A GED officer won't like your answer.
I happened across a video very similar to this a few months back...A lawyer was giving a speech to a class that basically said "There is NOTHING you can say to a police officer that will actually help your case..."
Cop: Do you know why I pulled you over?
Me: Because I am incredibly charismatic and generate feelings in others that they themselves do not understand.
Lol wtf...
Andrew.......you are definately a HILARIOUS cop !