Imagine driving along, minding your business, when you notice a police cruiser behind you. The panic is real. Are your hands at ten and two? Did you signal before that last turn? What if you say the wrong thing? Well, panic no more. Here are 17 things you should never say to a cop during a traffic stop.
Don’t you have some real crimes to solve?
A traffic violation is a real crime. People lose their lives on our roads every day, and according to the WHO website, over 1 million people lost their lives to road-related accidents in the last year. Not to mention how hostile that question will make you seem, which won’t help your case in the slightest.
My friend/family member is a police officer.
Is your friend/family member a police officer? Then they should be ashamed of you for A) breaking the law, if that’s why you were pulled over, and B) trying to get away with breaking the law by dropping their name. Also, the cop who pulled you over isn’t going to be impressed at you trying to get out of a speeding ticket that way.
Yes, I do know why you pulled me over.
Pleading ignorance can be the best course of action. If you think you were pulled over for speeding, and you tell the officer as much, that’s an admission that you knew you were breaking the law. Maybe you were simply pulled over because of a broken tail light. See what they have to say before you get yourself in any more trouble.
Yes, you can search my car.
You are protected, under the Constitution, from unreasonable searches. Citizens can’t let the police do whatever they like, whenever they like. We need to be held accountable, and so do they. As noted by Congress, the Constitution is in place to protect us, and we should all have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
‘I only had,’ or ‘I was only…’
“I only had one drink.” If you’re over the limit, you’re over the limit; there really is no two ways about it. Don’t make excuses: they won’t believe you anyway. Would you believe you? Also, you were only doing 10 miles over the limit? Sir, that is still speeding, and you still broke the law.
Don’t you know who I am?
If you think you’re above the law, you need to have a serious conversation with yourself. Everyone should be equal in the eyes of the law, and if you act like this, then you’re doing society a disservice. Even Robert Downey Jr went to prison. And look at him now—he’s Iron Man!
My taxes pay your wages.
Our taxes do pay their salaries, but that doesn’t mean that we can do whatever we like. Imagine if we did. Every day would be like a re-enactment of The Purge. Also, not a great direction for the conversation to go in—if they didn’t want to arrest you before, they will now.
Knock, knock
You might think you’re funny, your friends might think you’re funny, and small children might find you hilarious. But, don’t joke around with a cop if you’ve been pulled over. Breaking the law is not funny, and they won’t appreciate you making light of it.
Lies
Don’t lie to a police officer. Lies always come back to bite you. If you don’t want to answer their questions, or if you feel you might land yourself in hot water by telling the truth, then exercise your right to remain silent.
Anything insulting, really
Freedom of speech is real, and you’re allowed to say whatever you want. However, freedom of speech doesn’t equal freedom from consequence. As Yousef Munayyer wrote in his article in the New York Times, “provocative expressions will provoke.” Perhaps it’s best not to provoke a police officer who has pulled you over for a traffic violation.
I know my rights.
Do you know your rights better than this officer, who has been working in law enforcement for the past 20 years? Maybe you do, but you probably don’t. This is a pretty antagonistic thing to say to a cop if they have pulled you over for a traffic violation; don’t insinuate that you know their job better than they do.
I don’t think so…
In answer to the question “Do you have any drugs in your vehicle?” You realize how silly that sounds, right? You would know without any doubt if the answer was no. Don’t arouse suspicion. Just say no, kids. This also goes for any other illegal contraband.
I want your name and badge number.
Demanding a name and badge number is usually done in an ‘I’m gonna get you in trouble’ manner, which doesn’t help any situation. According to EHG Law Firm, if an officer gives you a ticket, their name and badge number should be on the ticket (check it before you ask). If you believe you’ve been treated unfairly, you will have the information there to take it further.
You’re wrong!
Don’t tell a law enforcement officer that you weren’t speeding. If they say that you were, you probably were. That goes for everything else as well. They’re like the customer—always right. There are things that you can contest later in court, or make complaints about to the police department in due course, but in the moment, try not to argue.
Why did you pull me over?
Don’t be impatient. Just wait; they’re going to tell you what the issue is. If you must speak, say something like “Good afternoon officer, I hope you’re having a pleasant day!” Remember, you want to be let off with a warning, not given a ticket, so don’t start with a negative tone; keep it friendly.
Anything, if you get arrested
You have the right to remain silent, and you should take full advantage of that. If you’ve been pulled over for breaking a traffic law, and you find yourself in the back of a police cruiser, ask for a lawyer. Then, until you’ve had some sound legal advice, keep quiet.
Are we done here?
The officer who pulled you over isn’t going to care whether you’re in a hurry, late for work, or bored with this whole situation. You’ll wait until they’re finished with you. Do you think they want to be here, writing you a ticket, instead of at home with their families? You’re not the only one who’s bored of this whole situation.
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