So what can COPS Can't or Can do?

[spud814]

Hey guys,
I'm pretty clueless of what a cop can or can't do? Basically, when can they pull you over, and when can they give you a citation, and so on. I wanted to make this thread to educate me and others that dont have a clue about our rights when we get pulled over. Anyone with some knowledge jump on in, and educate us all. :D

-gil

[brodee]

First of all if an officer wants to search your vehicle they have to have probable cause. This means they have to see something in plain site or if you fail a breath test, etc.

There are many times where an officer may suspect something but not have pc. In these cases they will most likely ask you if they can search your vehicle. NEVER EVER NEVER EVER say yes to this search. It is voluntary and you have nothing to gain by allowing them to search.

This was advice given to me by the judge that taught my criminal procedures class in college.

[Fred]

Cops can do whatever the hell they want. They can also write a false report and you're stuck with the consequences (ask me how I know).

Also, one of our customers at work purchased an '00 E320 the other day and it had no tags. Cops pulled her over half an hour later and threatened to take her to jail and impound her car because she had no plates, even though the temporary DMV registration was clearly displayed in her back window. They held her for over an hour, even though there was nothing wrong. If she didn't threaten to call her lawyer, the car would still be in the impound lot, even though she did nothing wrong.

[Bhadole]

Brodee is right. I had a friend who let a cop search his car...he ended up being on the side of the road for close to 45 minutes. And when the cop was done he made a boneheaded remark...and I'm not making this up...he said "good thing you didn't search me." Of course he had nothing on him, but the cop did search him as well (just a pat down, keep your heads out of the gutter).

Which leads me to my next point. Don't be an idiot. I got out of a ticket once by just being polite and cooperative. I was of course a bit upset at the time, but I didn't let it get to me. I was originally going to be ticketed for speeding and not having my registration (it was a new car and I had forgotten to put it in the glove box). But instead he let me off with a warning. Not every cop is a jerk. But if you immediatly treat them like they are...then they probably will be.

[bmwannabe]

trust me, if the cop wants to search your car, he can. yes he needs probable cause, but he can get that probable cause by you just saying no to the search. he needs a search warrant after that, which will take him 20 minutes to obtain by calling it in. so basically if he wants to search, and youve got sometihng to hide, you are fucked either way.

[rwh11385]

I got out of a ticked once by just being polite and cooperative.

word. I was going ~47 in a 30 and got nailed, in front of an elementary school after hours. And I pulled into the school parking lot, instead of the side of the road. And pretty much admitted to it, and apologized and he let me off with a warning because my last ticket had been a year before and he could tell I didn't mean to speed.

Not every cop will be that nice, but it was of course a school, township officer, so it was a little different.

If you don't want to play nice, check out Lukasbmw.com, I believe he still has the TicketAssassin stuff on there.

[BS87]

Not every cop is a dick, as had been said before. Just try to be nice. Although, i've run into a few assholes before. I got a speeding ticket from one (only ticket ever). For, get this, 32 in a 30 zone. I plead not guilty, and the judge threw it out and asked the officer what the hell was the matter with him.

[brodee]

Ticketassasin has some good tips on it that will help you to get a warning instead of a ticket. These have worked for me many times.

Do these when you get pulled over....
1. pull over as quickly as possible to an area that is safe for you and the officer.
2. immediatly turn off your car, and turn on your hazards.
3. put your keys on top of the dash where the officer can see them.
4. if it's night time turn on your dome light so they can see in the car better.
5. have your insurance info, registration, and license out and ready.
6. put both hands on the top of the steering wheel and leave them there until he comes to talk to you.

These may sound stupid, but they go a LONG way to making the officer more comfortable walking up to your car. If he knows you aren't a threat and feels comfortable there is a MUCH higher chance in you getting a warning.

Now none of this applies if you are doing 137mph in a 20mph school zone during road construction, but you get my drift.

[Bhadole]

Do these when you get pulled over....
1. pull over as quickly as possible to an area that is safe for you and the officer.
2. immediatly turn off your car, and turn on your hazards.
3. put your keys on top of the dash where the officer can see them.
4. if it's night time turn on your dome light so they can see in the car better.
5. have your insurance info, registration, and license out and ready.
6. put both hands on the top of the steering wheel and leave them there until he comes to talk to you.

I tried to do most of that...but I was a bit nervous that if he saw me fiddling around too much he would think I was going for a gun or something...which is ridiculous, but it actually happens to cops sometimes and it's something they have to worry about.

[Mystikal]

5. have your insurance info, registration, and license out and ready.

If I went into my glovebox and pocket as an officer was walking up to the car I'd get a gun pulled on me, without a doubt. Maybe if you're of the majority, but definitely not for me.

[808BMW]

5. have your insurance info, registration, and license out and ready.

If I went into my glovebox and pocket as an officer was walking up to the car I'd get a gun pulled on me, without a doubt. Maybe if you're of the majority, but definitely not for me.

Keep it in your map pocket. I learned to do that after getting pulled over every single night (I'm dead serious).

[brodee]

My insurance card is in my front ashtray.

[Erick]

My insurance card is in my front ashtray.

I learned the hard way that paper objects fly away from there while I'm driving on the highway.

When I got pulled over I went straight in for my papers. The cop arrived after I had everything, however if a gun was pulled towards me, I have nothing to hide and I'd show I only had the good intention of making his job easier.

[rwh11385]

Note to self, do not carry airsoft guns in glovebox. Happened to a friend of mine. They look real, to the cops, and situation is not good.

[MattE30]

Note to self, do not carry airsoft guns in glovebox. Happened to a friend of mine. They look real, to the cops, and situation is not good.

I've never gotten pulled over when packing heat (airsoft) , but I can imagine what would happen..."uh officer, I am just going to warn you I have a fake gun in my glove box, for no particular reason."

I haven't done it in a while.