Tips on How to Interact with Police if You are Pulled Over

Our team of Elizabeth NJ attorneys recommends that you conduct yourself a certain way when you interact with the police after being pulled over. Remember, anything you say and do will help the officer form an assessment of whether you are suspicious. The way you interact with them will ultimately dictate whether they let you go home or end up taking you to the station. Take these tips from an Elizabeth DUI attorney to help your next police interaction go smoothly and quickly. 

Before The Interaction Begins 

Immediately after you are pulled over, there are things you can do before the police officer approaches the car to start the interaction off on the right foot. To keep the officer at ease, sit and wait for them to approach your vehicle with your hands on the wheel and the ignition turned off. Don’t reach for your glove box or paperwork yet, as the officer may see your movements through the back windshield and think you are trying to hide something. If the officer gets the feeling you want to take off or pull out a weapon to use against them, he might have a defensive attitude that can color the whole conversation. 

Stay Calm and Polite 

It’s normal to be nervous when interacting with the police, especially if you don’t do it very often. Remain calm and remember the officer simply wants to assess if you’re breaking the law or pose a threat to anyone else. If you aren’t doing anything wrong, and you cooperate with the officer, the traffic stop is only likely to last a few minutes. While you don’t want to be overly friendly or offer a ton of information, you can be polite and respectful as you answer questions and offer information. Legally, a police officer can ask you for proof of your identity, driver’s license, your vehicle’s registration, and proof of auto insurance. They can also check your personal information to see if you have any outstanding warrants or unpaid tickets in their system. 

If You’ve Been Drinking

If you have been drinking, our experienced Elizabeth NJ Lawyers recommend telling the officer as little as possible, as every fact can be taken as an admission of guilt. Try to answer questions with a yes or no, and don’t offer extra information in your responses. You do have the right to refuse to participate in a field sobriety test, but this can result in the officer asking more questions and taking longer to let you go. Refusing a breathalyzer test, however, can result in your license automatically being suspended and having to pay fines to have it reinstated.  

Submitting to a Property Search 

Agreeing to let officers search your car isn’t required of you, and if you know they are likely to find something suspicious in your vehicle, it’s better to deny consent to search. There is no obligation on you to consent to a search, and if a police officer has a reasonable reason to search the car, they can do so even without your permission. A NJ DUI attorney may be able to get any evidence seized in a search thrown out of court, but the chance of that goes down dramatically when you agree to let law enforcement search the car willingly. 

Call Our DUI attorneys NJ for Help 

If you’ve been pulled over and charged with a driving related offense as a result, we can help. Ashton E. Thomas Esquire has over thirty years of experience practicing law in New Jersey. Thanks to his years of experience as a New Jersey DUI attorney, he can walk you through the process of fighting the charges you face.