On any given day, police pull over some 50,000 people on American roads. This accounts for millions of stops each year, resulting in interactions between officers and drivers. If you’re pulled over, following the do’s and don'ts for traffic stops below will help smooth the process and minimize the likelihood that you’ll need a criminal defense attorney. 

Do:

Pull over immediately.

Always pull over as soon as you’re able once you become aware that the police are attempting to pull you over. Never hesitate to get your car safely to the side of the road and turn off the engine. The officer may interpret your failure to pull over immediately as a refusal to do so, or as an attempt to evade them. This will raise their suspicions and make your encounter much more stressful than necessary. 

Be civil.

Getting pulled over is rarely pleasant, especially if you’re in a rush. But that’s no excuse for rudeness. Be courteous and respectful in your dealings with the police as you would with any other individual. Beyond the general importance of politeness, if you’re aggressive or defensive, the officer is less likely to give you a break. In some cases, they may be more likely to suspect you’re committing another crime beyond the traffic violation for which they stopped you. If you feel you’ve been unfairly issued a ticket or arrested, don’t argue at the scene – the court process is your opportunity to defend yourself.

Don't:

Make sudden movements.

Any criminal defense attorney will tell you that officers don’t like sudden movements. Police officers may perceive your movement as a threat even if your intentions are innocuous. Keep your hands on the steering wheel. When the officer asks for your license or registration, inform them of where these items are located and that you'll be moving to retrieve them. Move slowly and deliberately. If you're pulled over at night, keep the interior lights of the car on to provide maximum visibility for the officer.

Feel you must consent to a search.

There are certain circumstances in which officers don’t require your permission to search your person or vehicle – if contraband is visible in plain view in your car, for example. If any officer asks your permission, however, don’t be intimidated or feel you must say yes. If you’re arrested and feel that a frisk or search of your person, or a search of your vehicle, was improper, consult with a criminal defense attorney. 

If you were arrested as a result of a vehicle stop, the criminal defense attorneys at Lane, Felix & Raisbeck CO, LPA, are here for you. For more than 30 years, these attentive and experienced attorneys have been successfully representing criminal law cases in and around Hamilton County, Ohio. They also offer representation in family law, personal injury, probate, and real estate issues. Call (513) 922-7700 or visit their website to schedule an initial consultation.