If you’re pulled over for speeding, do you know what to say when the police ask how fast you were going or how you should respond if they ask to search the vehicle? Because officers can be fairly intimidating—and traffic stops are inherently stressful—motorists often fail to assert their rights after getting pulled over for speeding. Since the police might not always respect these rights, a traffic ticket lawyer will tell you it’s essential to know what you should and shouldn’t do after getting pulled over. 

Do:

Be polite.

Maybe you’re already running late or the officer is being abrasive and rude. Regardless of how tense the situation is, however, it’s essential to stay cool and be polite. The officer pulled you over for a reason, which means they are entering the exchange with a negative bias. Do not provide any additional cause for them to justify writing a ticket or making an arrest. 

Put the officer at ease.

Police are always on edge when walking up to strangers in traffic—as they should be. At the end of the day, you never know who is traveling in the vehicles around you. Do what you can to put the officer at ease. This includes rolling down your window, turning off the radio, and keeping both hands visible at all times. 

Don’t:

Blabber or name-drop.

Some people become fairly talkative when they are nervous, but you should avoid engaging the officer in chitchat. In fact, it’s best not to volunteer any information at all, even if the chief of police is an old family friend or you’re on the way to donate blood. A seasoned traffic ticket lawyer knows police are likely to interpret anything a motorist says as an attempt to avoid a ticket, regardless of if it’s true. 

Consent to a search.

You don’t have to consent to a search of the vehicle. Resourceful police officers might find other ways to conduct a search, but as long as you did not consent to it, any evidence they gather could be inadmissible in court. A traffic ticket lawyer will often remind clients they don’t have to answer any personal questions regarding where they are coming from or where they are going, either. 

If you were pulled over for speeding, turn to Thomas W. Smothers, Attorney at Law, in High Point, NC. Attorney Smothers is an experienced traffic ticket lawyer who focuses solely on defending clients who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law. His areas of expertise include DUI charges and traffic violations. You can schedule an initial consultation with this criminal defense attorney by visiting his website or calling (336) 885-1240.