IF YOU ARE STOPPED BY THE POLICE IN YOUR CAR: If you are driving a vehicle, the police can ask you to pull over at any time. The best thing to do in this situation is to pull over and follow the officer’s directions. The officer will request to see your driver’s license, registration and/or proof of liability insurance – this you must do. If you are stopped at night, turn on your dome light and show the officer that nothing is wrong. It is best to do nothing which may give reason to search further. Having your lights on and keeping your hands on the steering wheel will usually put the officer’s mind at ease. Chances are that the officer is going to write out a ticket for a traffic violation. Of course, you may start to explain at this point but you should limit your comments. Be careful how you protest. A simple traffic violation may start costing you a fortune in fines for other violations. If you think that the ticket is incorrect – carry your protest to traffic court. If you’re given a ticket, sign it; otherwise you can be arrested. Police may stop and detain you if they have a reasonable suspicion or probable cause. If you’re suspected of driving under the influence (DUI) and refuse to take a blood, urine or breath-test, your driver’s license may be suspended. Your car can be searched without a warrant as long as the police have probable cause. To protect yourself, you should make it clear that you do not consent to a search. It is not lawful for police to arrest you simply for refusing to consent to a search. (source:blackpolice.org)
- KEEP YOUR HANDS WHERE THE POLICE CAN SEE THEM
- PLEASE…DO NOT RUN!
- DO NOT TOUCH ANY POLICE OFFICER.
- DO NOT RESIST – even if you believe you are innocent.
- DO NOT COMPLAIN TOO STRONGLY on the scene or tell the police they’re wrong or that you’re going to file a complaint.
- ASK FOR A LAWYER immediately when arrested.
- RECORD OFFICERS’ BADGE NUMBERS and PATROL CAR NUMBERS and WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING you remember – ASAP.
- TRY TO FIND WITNESSES and their names and phone numbers
