How to Reduce the Odds of Being Ticketed During a Traffic Stop

"SteveLehto" (stevelehto)
10/13/2014 at 13:00 • Filed to: None

177

You're being pulled over by a police officer. Do you know the steps you can take to minimize the odds of getting a ticket?

Ever since I was in high school, police officers of various jurisdictions have made a hobby of pulling me over. "Do you know why I pulled you over?" Of course I do. But since I became an attorney 23 years ago, I have represented hundreds of people for traffic violations in Michigan. When people hear that I do "car cases" – !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! – they think of me when they get tickets while driving cars. Along the way I have spoken to police officers, prosecutors and judges and can tell you that there are things you can do which can help you – either to avoid getting a ticket altogether or to lessen the legal harm of the ticket itself. And the advice is relatively simple.

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Keep in mind here that I am not addressing how to fight the ticket itself. That is a topic for another day. I am also not talking about an occasion where you got pulled over wrongfully. I am talking about where you actually did something to deserve a ticket. Here is how you deal with it.

When the flashing lights come on, pull over to the side of the road as soon as you safely can. Then, pull off to the side as far as you can so that the officer – if possible – can approach your car without having to walk in the lane of traffic. Shut your engine off. It is important that you picture the stop from the officer's point of view. While you do not enjoy this transaction, in most instances, neither does the police officer. Officers get shot in situations like this and have no idea if you are a drug-smuggling, gun-running, one-man crime wave or simply a middle-aged attorney who writes articles on what to do when you are pulled over by a police officer.

Immediately roll your window down all the way. Not half way, not an inch so you can speak through the crack. All the way. Among other things, it will show that you have nothing to hide.

If it is not broad daylight out, turn on your overhead interior light so that before the officer gets to your car, he or she can see if there are people in the backseat, in the passenger seat and, most importantly, you. You want to put the officer at ease as quickly as possible. Police officers notice these things.

Put your hands on your steering wheel at 10 and 2. Ideally, the officer will be able to see your hands while standing at the rear bumper of your car. Once you have done these things - 1) pulled over, 2) turned on the interior light, 3) rolled your window down, and 4) placed your hands on the steering wheel, DO NOTHING ELSE. Do not move, do not look around, do not start digging for your paperwork.

The officer will approach and most likely ask, "Do you know why I pulled you over?" This is the only piece of advice I will give you which police officers will disagree with but you will see why. I advise you to not confess. You ran a red light? You were speeding? My advice is to politely say, "No, I'm sorry I don't," and leave it at that. Some people will suggest you ought to say, "Yes, I ran that red light," but I don't know if "honesty" is going to help you any here. I do know that many officers will make a note on the ticket, "Driver admitted he/she ran the red light," and that statement will come back to haunt you later.

Notice that I did not say to have your license and registration ready when the officer appeared at your window. This is because getting them in any manner where your body is moving may make the officer think you are hiding something or reaching for something - and neither of those are good. Another reason is that I – and others I have spoken with – have had an officer make a comment at this point and then leave. "Did you know your license plate is hanging off with only one screw?" I have also had an officer let me slide: "You ran a red light back there. Pay attention. Good night."

If the officer asks for your license and registration, tell him or her exactly how you are going to retrieve them. "I am going to reach into my back pocket and pull out my wallet." "I need to reach into my glovebox to find my registration," and so on. Even if you have made nice-talk with the officer, he or she will still be wary of you reaching underneath yourself or into a dark spot in the car. Announcing your intentions, again, shows that you are doing what you can to put them at ease.

At this point, the officer will probably take your papers and head back to run your information through the system. Sit in your car with your hands on the wheel, leave the interior light on, and do nothing else. Do not make phone calls or fiddle with your infotainment center. Do not reorganize your glovebox. Do not decide it is a good time to clean out the loose change under your seat. While the officer may have already made the decision on writing or not writing the ticket, it can only hurt you if you act suspiciously at this point.

Why would doing any of the steps I describe help you avoid a ticket? Police officers have discretion on whether they write a ticket and for what. As we know, an officer COULD decide to throw the book at you and write you up for all kinds of stuff. Or, decide to let you go with a warning. Anything you can do to make the officer's job easier will help nudge the officer in the direction of being lenient. Instead of reckless driving, perhaps you will be written for careless. Instead of 20 over, maybe 10.

If the officer comes back with a ticket, do not argue with the officer. Do not declare, "I will see you in court!" Take the ticket, say Thank You, and move on. Signal that you are going re-enter the roadway, do so safely and go about your business. One of the over-riding themes of this and everything that preceded it is you want to make this traffic stop ordinary. You do not want the officer to remember you. If you decide to fight the ticket, with or without an attorney, you may seek a plea deal of some sort. The officer will likely be consulted. An officer may be in court on a particular day with a stack of tickets. They probably can't all be tried due to time constraints. Some will get deals, some will not. You know who gets the deals? The harmless tickets where the driver did nothing to stick out in the officer's mind.

I have been to numerous pretrial conferences where the prosecutor asked the officer if we could cut a deal. The officer looked at the ticket to remember who the person was and then turned the ticket over to see if there were any comments on the back. Comments about the driver swearing at them, talking on a cellphone during the stop, and so on. No comments is good. Even better is when the officer looks puzzled, clearly does not remember the stop, and agrees to a deal. I have also seen the officer turn the ticket over and get a look of recognition. "Oh, I remember this guy . . ." and then my job just got harder.

To summarize: When pulled over by a police officer –

-Pull over quickly and as far as safely possible

-Roll down your window completely

-Turn on your overhead interior light

-Put your hands on the steering wheel at 10 and 2

-Do not admit that you broke the law

-If asked for license and papers, announce your movements beforehand

-Sit still while waiting for the officer to return

-Do not say anything remarkable to the officer at the end of the stop

I am not saying every ticket written was righteous. I am also not saying that the foregoing will protect you if your backseat is filled with sawed-off shotguns and bundles of counterfeit currency sitting in plain view. I'm not a magician, Jim. Just an old country lawyer. But, if you get pulled over in a run-of-the-mill traffic stop, following this advice will lessen the odds of you getting a ticket and, if you still get the ticket, increase the odds that you can get some slack cut on it later should you decide to fight it in court.

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Steve Lehto has been practicing law for 23 years, specializing in consumer protection and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! He wrote !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . He also wrote !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! He urges you to consult with an attorney in your state should you have further legal questions.

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DISCUSSION (100)

505Turbeaux > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 13:04

nice, and true on all points.

this goes well with my handy guide to not getting pulled over in the first place too. I have been pulled over for some pretty serious stuff, but often by following the advice you laid out, you can get a pass for alot.

CalzoneGolem > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 13:06

I have found that Police like it when you are calm and respectful.

SteveLehto > 505Turbeaux
10/13/2014 at 13:07

I saw your post and thought: "We'll cover this one step at a time!"

SteveLehto > CalzoneGolem
10/13/2014 at 13:08

Yes. And none of this is guaranteed. But it helps. That's the point.

Thanks for the note.

macanamera > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 13:08

Alternatively, offer doughnuts.

SteveLehto > macanamera
10/13/2014 at 13:12

Let's call that Plan B.

CAR_IS_MI > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 13:18

To summarize: When pulled over by a police officer –

-Pull over quickly and as far as safely possible

-Roll down your window completely

-Turn on your overhead interior light

-Put your hands on the steering wheel at 10 and 2

-Do not admit that you broke the law

-If asked for license and papers, announce your movements beforehand

-Sit still while waiting for the officer to return

-Do not say anything remarkable to the officer at the end of the stop

Seriously, best advice you will ever get and best advice to actually listen to if you even remotely want a shot at getting out of a ticket.

I was given this advice at a young age but chose not to follow it. On the gratuitous occasions that I got pulled over it never ended well. I never did anything to make the officer feel unsafe (hands on the wheel, im going to reach..., etc.), but I also constantly, constantly argued with the cops.

When I finally started following this advice, my traffic stops went MUCH better. Sure, I still got some tickets, but I also got out of more than a few, and they never ended with "Do you mind if I look around the car a little bit?"

SteveLehto > CAR_IS_MI
10/13/2014 at 13:19

Thanks for the note. I remember getting all kinds of dumb advice as a young driver too. But this (above) is based up not just my own -extensive - experience but also from talking to a lot of law enforcement types. This stuff can go a long way.

MonkeePuzzle > macanamera
10/13/2014 at 13:20

note: this should be of the pasty variety, and not an act of automotive hooliganism

"hey thanks for pulling my over pig, you wanna see me lay down some circular rubber!? ...what? jail you say? "

Coty > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 13:20

Exactly what I do, and I've only got one ticket. There was nothing I was going to say or not say to that guy to get out without a ticket.

CAR_IS_MI > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 13:22

That same advice (almost verbatim) was actually given to me by my neighbor, who was a local PD sergeant. So yes, very good advice to ACTUALLY listen to. And as always, great article.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 13:22

Excellent advice, and I have generally followed all of those points. I will add that if it is possible to get off the road and on to a less traveled side road or into a parking lot you should do so. If you do do that, make sure you pull far enough away from the main road to let the officer pull their cruiser onto the side street as well. I have seen people pull off into driveways and such and stop as soon as their bumper is out of the road leaving the police car parked in traffic on the main road. I can't imagine that ending with the person being pulled over getting let off with a warning.

I was a passenger in a car that got pulled over for going way too fast. The officer came up to the window and asked the driver "so, you guys were racing, huh?" to which the driver sat mutely. The cop then said "probably best for you not to say anything there." He didn't get a break on the speed, but at least he didn't get a reckless driving ticket which he very well could have.

SteveLehto > Coty
10/13/2014 at 13:22

Sometimes you can get a lesser ticket though. You never know. I have had clients brag to me about how badly they told the cop off. And that accomplished what now?

Thanks for the note.

SteveLehto > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
10/13/2014 at 13:24

Yes, the "Where to pull over" thing is based upon where you are. As soon as you can as safe as you can make it. Even though they have changed many laws about moving over a lane when you see the traffic stop, it's still dangerous out there.

Thanks for the note.

Racescort666 > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 13:25

I got pulled over in my racecar once (on my way back from an Autocross). I legitimately had no idea why I was being pulled over. Turns out, I turned on a "No turn on red" intersection but I did basically everything described I ended up stopping on a side street since it was a major road with no shoulders. The LEO walks up to my car, sticks his head in to look around at the roll cage and harnesses and says "I'm just going to assume this is all legal." No ticket though and I definitely never turned on red at that intersection again.

SteveLehto > Racescort666
10/13/2014 at 13:26

Great story. Thanks for sharing it.

Racescort666 > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 13:28

Possibly loaded question: when you have a CPL, but are not carrying a weapon, do you have to say so during a traffic stop?

Supplemental: when you are carrying a weapon (with a permit, obviously), the law states that you have to announce it as soon as possible. My gut tells me to say so as soon as the officer gets to your window but I wouldn't want to cut him/her off if they were in the middle of saying something.

OPPOsaurus WRX > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 13:29

I got pulled over for speeding. I had the car for less than a month. I did all you had said except putting on interior lights. The biggest problem for me was not being able to open the window. It was February (actually Valentines Day) and tried rolling down the window when he got to the door but ended up locking doors and then figured out the key had to be turned for them to go down. Surprisingly even after a few "tests" outside the car I was let off with a warning.

SteveLehto > Racescort666
10/13/2014 at 13:32

I can't imagine why you'd have to announce you are not carrying but I would check the local law on that. As you can imagine THOSE laws vary wildly from state to state.

If the law said "As soon as possible" I would think you'd be okay if it was the first thing out of your mouth and you spoke at your first chance. Again, doublecheck locally. With my luck some state has a "Cut the trooper off and yell it within 3 seconds rule."

 > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 13:32

I just want to emphasize the importance of keeping your mouth shut and not saying anything when you get pulled over. The cop will write down everything that you say and the prosecutor will use that information in court against you. Have you ever noticed that when you leave a traffic stop the cop will often times sit there on the side of the road? That's because he is making notes about everything that happened.

I suggest pulling off into the nearest parking lot or a coffee shop after you leave the traffic stop and do the same. Take notes of everything that happened in case you decide to fight the ticket. The court date may be a year away and you will definitely forget details that could help you win.

SteveLehto > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/13/2014 at 13:34

I got pulled over driving a rental last year and when the officer asked if I knew how fast I was going I said, "I thought I was doing the speed limit but this is a rental and I am not as familiar with the gauges as I am in my regular car." He checked my license etc and let me go.

SteveLehto >
10/13/2014 at 13:35

Great advice. There is a fine line between talking and confessing and most people don't know which is which. Be polite and answer questions but keep the answers short and don't admit to anything if you can avoid it.

Coty > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 13:38

My buddy does that all the time. It's like, way to insert your own foot into you ass.

I think I got the full extent of my ticket, thanks, NHSP.

swansong, rockin' the wagons > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 13:38

As a person that has watched a lot of Cops , can confirm this is good advice.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Racescort666
10/13/2014 at 13:43

I would guess that varies by state and should have been covered when you took the CPL class. You should also be able to look that up pretty quickly on your states website. I know in my home state you are required to announce to the officer that you have a CPL and are carrying when you are carrying. You do not have to announce anything when you are not carrying, but the instructor advised that we say that we have a CPL and are not carrying when we aren't carrying. The instructor covering this was an active state trooper and his reasoning is that he will walk back to the car and when he runs your DL it will pull up a flag that you are a CPL holder. At that point he will be wondering if you are carrying and why you didn't tell him, so he is going to come back to the car and ask you if you are carrying anyway.

Racescort666 > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
10/13/2014 at 13:51

This is a good point. I would imagine that it comes up when your DL gets ran.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Racescort666
10/13/2014 at 13:53

Yeah, I would guess that it will. In my home state it does, but YMMV depending on where you live.

Imirrelephant > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 13:54

All good points! I think it all comes back to being polite and respectful to the officer. They are out there doing they're job. In today's world of general lack of respect for officers, a little consideration for them goes a long way.

NaturallyAspirated > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 13:56

All good advice. I've tried to follow this advice as much as possible.

My last police stop turned out pretty badly due to a combination of things. First, the officer tried to tell me where to pull over on his PA system, which kept cutting out. I don't think the officer knew that it was cutting out, which lead to me not knowing where he wanted me to pull over. He ended up calling in a second car once he'd managed to tell me where he wanted me to pull over, which may or may not be SOP in this area, since I've seen several stops in that area since with two police cars. The second officer stood in the weeds on the side of the road on the passenger's side of my car during the whole stop.

I did the window all the way down, dome light on, hands on the wheel thing, and I put my keys on the dash for good measure (this is an airplane mechanic thing, if an airplane mechanic can see the keys on the dash, he knows it's safe to approach the prop since the engine can't be started).

The office asked me why I was in such a hurry, which seemed odd since I had been driving in a fairly relaxed manner. I told him I wasn't sure what had given him the impression that I was in a hurry. He claimed I'd run a red light. I knew I hadn't, but I wasn't sure what to say at this point, so I said nothing.

He then asked me where my license and registration was. I responded that my license was in my pants pocket and my registration was in the glove box and waited. After an uncomfortable few seconds, he asked me again where my license and registration was. I gave him the same answer, and added "do you want me to get them now?" He, in an exasperated tone, replied with "Yes!"

At this point, I did the "Ok, I'm reaching into my pants pocket now for my license... I'm going into the glove box now for my registration..." This was complicated by the fact that I'd forgotten to remove the small stack of expired insurance cards from my glove box, I ended up giving the officer the wrong one first and had to find the current one in the stack.

I ended up getting a ticket for making a right turn against a red arrow, a $490 fine in California. I was able to successfully contest the ticket with a written declaration (with some help from an old friend of mine who is a law professor) due to the fact that the intersection on the ticket does not have a red right turn arrow.

SteveLehto > Imirrelephant
10/13/2014 at 13:57

Yes, but also recognizing that there are things you can do which make it apparent that you are cooperating. Thanks for the note

SteveLehto > NaturallyAspirated
10/13/2014 at 13:59

Sometimes there is nothing you can do. But it's still worth trying. Thanks for the note!

JEM > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:03

One thing I've wondered, and perhaps you can answer this Steve - what about if you get pulled over on a motorcycle?

So far, I haven't been. Knowing that I'm regularly a little north of speed limit. (say 85-90 when other people are doing 75 - 80) I figure it's bound to happen at some point.

Obviously, on a bike the cop knows how many people there are. And I'd open my face shield immediately. Any other suggestions you may have heard though?

northcoon > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:04

30,000 traffic deaths every year in the US. Stop driving like assholes. It really pisses me off that people want to be able to violate traffic laws and not even be ticketed.

David Ruddock > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:05

This seems to be less true today than it was years ago. I have one ticket on my record. I was doing 15 over the limit (granted, it was I-5 in Kern County on a Sunday night, 85 in a 70).

The CHP officer didn't ask me anything about why I was pulled over. He just said "you were doing 15 over the limit. License and registration." I followed pretty much every step in this guide, too, as I am very conscious of the danger officers put themselves in by pulling people over in the first place.

He took my information, wrote the ticket, and said "Be careful merging back on to the highway."

He wasn't a prick about it, but there was literally no way out of that ticket, and I feel like, especially in CA with the CHP, there just isn't any leeway anymore. If you get pulled over, you're getting the ticket, and it's a story I've heard from friends over and over. There isn't even a conversation.

SteveLehto > JEM
10/13/2014 at 14:07

Never thought about that specifically. I'd say shut the bike off and keep your hands visible. Stay on the bike. If anyone else has suggestions I'd like to hear them.

Brandy > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:08

Also, if you have a license to carry a concealed weapon, hand it over with your driver's license. That way the officer is aware that you hold the CCL. If he finds out when he actually runs your DL, he or she won't be happy.

Cliff > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:09

Things sure are different for some people.

SteveLehto > David Ruddock
10/13/2014 at 14:09

Keep in mind that there are police at state, county and municipal levels. Not sure if there is ever a universal thing with what will or will not work. Really, though, what can it hurt to try?

SteveLehto > Brandy
10/13/2014 at 14:10

If you have the firearm on you, you should also notify them ASAP, correct?

SteveLehto > Cliff
10/13/2014 at 14:11

Everything is different for everyone. That's why I couched this in the language of probabilities.

ILovePickeldEggs > Racescort666
10/13/2014 at 14:11

When I got my CPL training in Michigan I was told that I should. Im not sure how every state works, but it can't hurt to.

MazdaMonkey > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:11

This is some of the best info I have seen on the site lately. Thank you for taking the time to do it.

StevenG > CAR_IS_MI
10/13/2014 at 14:12

I disagree about turning the interior light on. I made that mistake once and am glad I did not pay for it with my life. All it earned me was a gun aimed at me and a lot of yelling.

mikeytooth > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:12

Somewhat related: is it just an urban legend that a police officer will be more likely to let you off with warning if your license indicates that you are an organ donor? I have heard different things about this.

JEM > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:12

Yeah that's what I was figuring as well. Staying on the bike = not getting out of the car.

SteveLehto > MazdaMonkey
10/13/2014 at 14:13

Thanks for reading it (and commenting)!

450X_FTW > Racescort666
10/13/2014 at 14:13

When I took my CPL class I was told that you don't have to tell them if you are not carrying BUT it is a good idea to tell them you at least have a license and you are not carrying, so that when they run your information and see that you have a CPL it won't be a surprise to them

SteveLehto > mikeytooth
10/13/2014 at 14:13

Probably depends on the officer. I have heard that too but don't know if I believe it.

Ltd783 > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:13

This is perfect. I have to give these instructions 10x a day to clients.

The only minor things I would add are to turn off your engine and radio when you pull over too. A turned off car, with the window rolled down and your hands on the wheel alleviates 99% of the officer's potential safety concerns.

Also, something that doesn't hurt (at least here South of the Mason-Dixon line) is to drop Sir/Ma'am as much as you can when speaking to the officer. It might be my military upbringing, but officers in a position of authority over you feel the need to establish, or have you acknowledge, their authority. Since we don't salute in the civilian world, give it to them by addressing them with them with an almost subservient level of respect, or they will be more likely to exercise it over you with a ticket, or worse.

450X_FTW > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:14

Something else I've heard helps, when you pull over (granted it's not freezing out), roll down all your windows so they can see in and hang your keys out the window on your finger, that way they know you're not preparing to drive away

HunterPenceNoneTheRicher > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:15

To summarize: When pulled over by a police officer –

-Pull over quickly and as far as safely possible

-Roll down your window completely

-Turn on your overhead interior light

-Put your hands on the steering wheel at 10 and 2

-Do not admit that you broke the law

-If asked for license and papers, announce your movements beforehand

-Sit still while waiting for the officer to return

-Do not say anything remarkable to the officer at the end of the stop

I like this so much that I feel a bit of a moron to say "I put on my flashers as soon as i reach the shoulder" but what I also do between turning on the light and placing the hands at 10 and 2 is this:

- Take the keys out of the ignition and place them on the dashboard. In the 3 or so traffic stops I have experienced in the last few years I have done this and did not receive a ticket.

First instance was driving late at night through a city street and the cop just pulled me over to ask where I was going.

Second instance was en route to going snowboarding (around 4:30 AM) and I passed several police cars parked, drove to pick up my friend, and went back on the same road and got stopped. "Where you going?" "TAHOE BRO! ITS SNOWING" "Da hell you know its October?" "Yes this is the first day of the season!" "Move along".

Third instance was driving home at like 10 PM and I have to drive past the police dept to get through a major intersection before reaching my street. The cop said I drifted over the line a little bit asked if I had been drinking, "No Sir. I drive this road every day and take this exit every afternoon." He ran my licence and let me go home.

Very useful information in this article. I would say that Police in general, given all the negative publicity and such they have experienced in the last decade, are doing the best with what they can. If you have something to hide do not be a dick about it because they will sniff that shit out stat.

TL;DR: Dont be a dumbass. Pull over, turn off car, turn on lights and hands at 10 and 2.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:15

What if we know we're going to get a ticket because napoleon complex, so instead just want to make the cop's job as hard as possible. Short of doing something to get arrested, how far can I go to make the stop as uncomfortable as possible for the cops? I've found that just inserting awkward pauses into conversation, staring the cop down and not blinking when they're looking tends to get them really weirded out, but I really want them to get stuck with a mountain of paperwork.

SteveLehto > Ltd783
10/13/2014 at 14:15

Yes, by all means shut the car down. I was thinking it but I guess it wasn't obvious.

Thanks.

lt5zr180 > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:15

got pulled over doing 90 in a 45 apologized as much as possible and the officer, chief of police actually, let me go without even looking at my insurance/reg. On the other hand driving through VA I hit a check point and when I told the d-bag cop I had my license in my front left pocket and if I could get it and he felt the need to go for his gun.

Racescort666 > ILovePickeldEggs
10/13/2014 at 14:16

That was pretty much my thoughts as well. They are probably going to see that you have a CPL when they run your license so you may as well get that out in the open.

I haven't been stopped since getting my CPL and I actually behave much better when I'm carrying. I always worry that someone will flip out on me even though I'm well within my rights.

Ghostyle > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:16

As a black person these points sadly come with the preface "You're black, brace yourself"

TheDouble-ClutchBandit > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:16

I actually have a traffic lawyer I hired a few months ago going to court for me tomorrow to fight a speeding ticket. I did everything applicable you stated above, so I'm hoping it goes smoothly. Great advice.

SteveLehto > 450X_FTW
10/13/2014 at 14:16

Never heard that one before. I think shutting the car off is enough.

CAR_IS_MI > StevenG
10/13/2014 at 14:16

How and or why? A simple turn of the stalk when you are pulled over to illuminate the interior of your vehicle as you place your hands on the steering wheel is not really a gun aimable offence.

airtower > Racescort666
10/13/2014 at 14:16

Duty to declare varies by state. In Texas, you must declare and provide your CHL at all traffic stops - even if unarmed or without weapons in the vehicle (although ironically you are not obligated to declare weapons in the vehicle if you are not a CHL holder). The state laws surrounding this should have been covered ad nauseam in your licensing class.

Also, don't be concerned about presenting your CHL even if you're not obligated to. More often than not it will help your standing with the officer.

jimz > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:16

I'm not a magician, Jim.

Yes, Bones, I know. You're a doctor.

SteveLehto > lt5zr180
10/13/2014 at 14:17

Yes, these stops can vary quite a bit from time to time . . .

ZephyrSeija > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:17

Agree with never confessing. I got pulled over recently for speeding, supposedly. The officer asked if I knew why I was pulled over. Said I didn't. He told me I was speeding and asked if I knew how fast I was going. I said I didn't. He incredulously implied that I wasn't paying attention while driving. I merely responded that I didn't read the spedometer when I was pulled over and didn't know what my speed was. I was also asked to step out of the car and go through the battery of sobriety tests due to being near a bar-laden area. Passed all the tests, the officer thanked me for cooperating and apologized for the hassle, and went on his way. Didn't ticket me for speeding because I think technically he didn't know how fast I was actually going and just saw me zipping by and decided to pull me over. If had said, Yeah, I was going 45 (in a 35) he probably would have ticketed me.

Also probably helped that I'm white. This country isn't fair.

they-will-know-my-velocity > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:17

Regardless of local law, I think it should be announced if you have a CHL and if you have a firearm in the car. I rarely announce I have my knife with me unless I'm asked to step out of the car.

I usually let the officer get through the initial hi-hello-license and registration please and then, BEFORE REACHING ANYWHERE say, "Sir, I'd like to inform you that I have a loaded firearm in the car." and then let it develop from there. Usually they ask where it is and then ask me to step out so they can clear the weapon but occasionally they just say ok, thank you, wait here.

Some of you may be required to produce a carry permit of some type. In Texas, I don't but I whenever I get around to getting my CHL I'll produce that along with any other documents needed.

Otherwise, this article is spot on. Make the officer feel safe. I drove about a mile one time with an officer behind me to pull off at a parking lot I knew was ahead. The two lane, steep ditch road was dangerous in my opinion so I drove further. I knew this would make them nervous so I put on my hazards and dome light and slowed down. Next thing I know I've got two cruisers behind me. So, I pull over in the lot and when she asks me why I took so long I told her. Instantly she puts away her book and just gives me a verbal about why I was stopped.

SteveLehto > Ghostyle
10/13/2014 at 14:18

I have represented drivers of all races. I suppose that depends on the community where you are pulled over. Of course, I cannot speak from personal experience so I will defer to those who can.

Thanks for the note.

El-Verde > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:18

One addition to this advice Steve, from a guy who knows far too many cops:

After rolling down windows/turning on dome light if necessary, remove keys from the ignition and place them on the dash where the officer can see them. This puts him at ease that you aren't going anywhere. Then assume the position with hands at 10 and 2.

None of us like getting pulled over, and cops can be real jerks. But put away your pride and be submissive to one for 3 minutes, treat them like a human, and you might get away with one.

Cheapo > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
10/13/2014 at 14:18

So they have that information documented and can pull it up on a traffic stop? I've been pulled over while not carrying and didnt say anything and neither did the cop. But I guess its wrong of them to assume something off it or ask about it, as having a permit implies nothing doing something wrong.

Mike Lee > Racescort666
10/13/2014 at 14:18

Depends on the state, but it's always in your interest to advise the officer as soon as possible. In most cases, the officer has already run your plates and knows ahead of time that you have a CC license.

SteveLehto > jimz
10/13/2014 at 14:18

Then why do you keep asking me to do the impossible?!

BWatkins > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:20

I received this advice almost word-for-word from a Michigan State Trooper during drivers training 20+ years ago and from experience (and talking with cop friends) it works better than any excuse you could offer up. The only detail I was taught that wasn't in your list was to activate you hazards (or as my daughter calls them the 'park anywhere lights') as soon as their lights come on. This lets them know that you know you're busted and will pull over as soon as you find a safe spot.

Takuro Spirit > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:20

Do what I did.

krische > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:20

Any advice about video recording the encounter? I have a dash cam, if that's recording the officer's vocie is that something you have to announce?

dal20402 > David Ruddock
10/13/2014 at 14:20

I had the same experience in Idaho this past summer, for only 9 over (89 in a 80), midday on a clear day. The officer was polite, but formal, and there was clearly nothing I could have said or done to avoid the ticket once he clocked me.

romans6_23 > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:21

I usually do all the above during a traffic stop. One thing I do differently is have the glove box open after retrieving the registration/insurance, BEFORE the police officer has approached my car. I will re-consider that.

No real proof, but having the overhead light on at night greatly decreases your chances of getting a ticket.

heeltoehero > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:21

I would add one thing, this only from being so close to so many members of the NYPD and NY area LEOs. I always take my keys out of the ignition and place them on the dash. If you are driving a car with keyless ignition, at least turn the car off.

SteveLehto > El-Verde
10/13/2014 at 14:21

Someone else mentioned that. I had not heard of that but I guess it couldn't hurt so long as you can do it without making it look like you are hiding something.

theGeneral01 > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:21

one of the best pieces on talking to the cops i've seen:

never talk to the police, it can ONLY hurt you - actually, never EXPLAIN anything to the police. you can answer the "know i don't know why you pulled me over" but that's about it.

Earthbound And Down > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:22

Wait, you mean I'm not supposed to activate my dashcam, tell the officer I'm recording him, then turn into a broken record, screaming, "AM I BEING DETAINED OR AM I FREE TO GO?!"

How can I be calm and submissive in the face of such oppression???

counterblow > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:22

Kinja'd!!!

here in Copland, where I live I was recently stopped. The officer didn't ask me if I knew why he stopped me. He said "I stopped you for speed"

O RLY? Well by definition anyone could be stopped for that, turtles, snails, anyone going some rate of " speed".

Got a warning but I really abhor the matter of fact stance that the Judge Dredd types run around here with.

Oh I also pull over fast and hard. Stopped cars aren't at fault and if their big honkin death mobile can't stop let's get it on!

RF > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:22

How often do you get pulled over.......??

SteveLehto > BWatkins
10/13/2014 at 14:22

I have not heard the hazards as SOP. I think if you put a turn signal on and get over you're okay.

Thanks for the note.

lonestranger > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:22

This is so simple and seemingly obvious, yet it's never occurred to me to do this until now.

I was once pulled over early one morning on a remote section of the Trans-Canada near Golden, B.C. (pop. 3,701) because one of my truck's daytime running lights wasn't working (a common fault on GMT800s like my Sierra).

When the RCMP officer approached my truck, he immediately noticed the set of mounted wheels & tires in the bed. Since I was heading to the same city where my roommate's sister now lived, he asked me to bring her Civic's snow tires to her. I suppose the early hour combined with the odd cargo aroused the Mountie's suspicion.

He asked if he could examine the tires. I had no idea why he was interested in them, but since I had nothing to hide, I obliged. He went to his Crown Vic, retrieved a mechanic's stethoscope , and proceeded to methodically tap each tire in various spots with his baton. He was looking for drugs or cash from the sale of drugs. I guess that a young dude travelling alone with nothing but a knapsack and tires that don't fit his vehicle, and at a time of day where he'd more likely have come from a remote bush grow-op than from Calgary raised too many red flags.

I know many people would've been irritated and defensive in such a situation, but I patiently and politely waited while he did his thing.

Anyway, he gave me a verbal warning regarding the DRL, and sent me on my way. I have a feeling that had I been speeding, he would've been similarly lenient.

fruntilbunkey > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:23

This follows exactly with what I had a CHP officer tell me one time. Since then, I've been pulled over a lot (A LOT) and the cops always react better and with more leniency when I did exactly this. That's not to say I've never been ticketed, but it happens significantly less often when you're conscientious and non-aggressive.

Great advice to any scofflaws out there.

SteveLehto > krische
10/13/2014 at 14:23

Depends on the state. Beyond the realm of this piece. Consult local attorneys etc.

Daddio56 > David Ruddock
10/13/2014 at 14:23

I agree you on this one, my son, brother in law, and cousin are all LEOs in SoCal and all three of them say that the CHP is anal about issuing tickets once the stop is made. My brother in law still fumes about the day he was issued a citation for 5 miles over on I-5....

Do-Rif-To > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:23

Great advice as always Steve, hopefully this helps some people out who have had some bad times with LEOs! I was raised with a healthy but questioning respect for authority, your point about not directly confirming why you were pulled over cannot be said enough. I have gotten out of ~50% of my traffic stops with a verbal warning and all but 1 that went to trial has been reduced to a pointless offense and I have never once claimed to have any idea why I was being pulled over. It's all a bit of a game, much like many other daily social interactions.

I think a lot of people don't realize just how filthy easy it is to get a reduction if you haven't pissed anyone off or endangered a life. Everybody wins, except for the insurance companies.

heeltoehero > JEM
10/13/2014 at 14:23

I might go as far as removing and hanging your helmet on the handlebars. Most "bike pulled over" stories I've heard started with "thanks for not running".

Daddio > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:23

The cops around here don't ask if you know why you've been pulled over; they just walk up and tell you what you did. Presumably to avoid an argument, or to see if you have the guts to argue?... If you don't dispute it, tacit admission of guilt. If you do argue, you'll be considered a hot head and make it worse for yourself.

I've never fought a ticket (we don't have "points" in TX, and it's never been a serious enough offense to require suspension or a huge fine, so I just take the deferred adjudication.) But I try to remind myself not to admit anything, just in case I need to fight it later.

Pending Approval > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:24

Kinja'd!!!

David E. Davis > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:24

I can think of a few ways to get out of a ticket...

Kinja'd!!!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Ltd783
10/13/2014 at 14:24

officers in a position of authority over you feel the need to establish, or have you acknowledge, their authority

...and this is a huge part of the reason why people hate cops. They are not in a position of authority. I hate how it's sort of become a given that people think that respect has to be given to cops automatically. Respect needs to be earned, and there are few cops who have done anything to earn it. Getting a shiny badge because you couldn't find a real job after high school and none of the college football teams wanted you doesn't count.

drdude > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:24

another helpful tip: If you have to unbuckle to remove your wallet, SAY SO to the officer. I once had one start to write me a seatbelt ticket, even though I unbuckled it infront of him, while in a convertible.

SteveLehto > romans6_23
10/13/2014 at 14:24

I would not do the open glove box thing. You have to lean over to do it and it might make them wonder what you have in there that was so important.

Bryce Womeldurf > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:24

I've been okay with pretty much doing all of this and just being respectful (use sir or ma'am). The only thing I do differently is that if I know I broke the law, I'm honest about it. It doesn't always result in a warning, but I'd say that the times I did end up with a ticket, I deserved it.

Big Block I-4 > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:24

Steve, where do you stand on recording the stop on your cell phone either with video/audio or just audio only? Obviously you have to announce that your are recording, but do you think this is a good or bad idea overall? I read someone else comment about writing down all the particulars after the stop for use if fighting in court. So a recording would be easier and much more reliable too, but may have some drawbacks when it comes to the cop and how they feel about being recorded.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Cheapo
10/13/2014 at 14:25

I don't know that every state ties the systems together, but I know in my home state they do according to the trooper teaching that portion of the class. Since a CPL is state issued, I would assume any police officer in the state of issue can search to determine if you are a CPL holder. Whether or not the DL will flag a person as a CPL holder probably varies from state to state. My advice is to be familiar with the laws of your state when it comes to carrying, and your responsibilities as a CPL holder when speaking with a law enforcement officer.

StevenG > CAR_IS_MI
10/13/2014 at 14:25

Turn of the stalk? My interior light only has the 3 way switch on the light itself. In that car, and as well as in what I drive now. With one hand on the wheel I reached up and touched the light to turn it on. He then rushed up to the car yelling something I could not understand, which made me look towards him, which lead to more yelling about turning my head around. By the time I looked towards the source of the yelling he already had a gun aimed at me.

He then was a dick about the whole thing, and demanded I tell him why he pulled me over. He acted as though I was clearly a liar for not knowing why he did that. I had a headlight out, but since I was in a very well lit area with many street lights I had no idea it was out.

I was driving out of a college campus, with a car with college stickers on it and in a very low crime area. He seemed to be upset that the only thing he could give me was a fix it ticket.

SteveLehto > RF
10/13/2014 at 14:25

Not as much as I used to! I used to commute 100 miles a day just to and from work. It's math. Drive a lot and you will get pulled over a lot. At least relatively speaking.

Eric Siedlecki > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:25

Something I've done when I've been pulled over is take the key out of the ignition and place it on the dash. Just another one of those, "I'm not going to do anything stupid" types of things. Do you think it's unnecessary?

Faslanetech > SteveLehto
10/13/2014 at 14:25

Great tips but I HAD a spotless record for almost 12 years and was uber-polite, had insurance, valid license etc. etc. etc. and still couldn't talk my way out of a measly 10mph over limit speeding tiket. The cops are ruthless in my city. I even asked towards the end reminding him of my awesome history etc and all I got was a "It'll get dropped in court a bit most likely" response but still dinged my record by a point.