One of the scariest sights you can see in your rearview mirror is red and blue lights flashing. Luckily, I've never been pulled over, but as a Criminology & Criminal Justice major, I know exactly what to do to reduce your chances of getting a ticket. Here's a list of things to do to significantly lower your chances of getting in trouble.
1. Once You See The Lights Go On, STOP.
This one seems like it may be common sense, but some people feel it's appropriate to continue to drive. There are obviously exceptions to this rule. For example, if you are in an unsafe area or it is an unmarked car that seems suspicious, you have the right to not pull over. However, if any of these exceptions apply to you, it is your duty to call #77 and to let them know that you acknowledge that the officer's lights are on, but you feel unsafe, so you are driving to a safer location. This is especially important in making sure you do not get charged with a crime related to running from the police. Also, there is a slim possibility an unmarked car may be a fake cop, but if you have a fear, you should act with instinct. Thus calling the police station if you feel unsafe pulling over allows your safety to be protected and your criminal record to remain clean.
In addition to calling #77 turn your hazards on to show you acknowledge the officer.
If none of these situations apply to you, pull over as soon as possible!
2. Window
Obviously, while talking to a police officer, you will need to have a window down. However, how far down you put it is up to you. Feel free to roll your window down all the way, or only enough to be able to talk through and hand the officer your license and registration.
Some people decide to only do a crack so the officer is unable to peek their head inside the car to look around or potentially plant something in the car. (Even though having a cop corrupt like this is rare, some people believe it is better to be safe than sorry).
If it is night, you should roll your rear windows down if you have people sitting back there.
3. OFF
You would think it's common sense to turn off your car, but unfortunately common sense isn't very common. The reasoning behind turning your car off is so you don't flee all of a sudden or decide to hit the cop with your car. Again, something most people don't end up doing, but it's best to show you have no ill intentions.
Remember, the police officer doesn't know you personally (most of the time). He or She has no idea what they are about to walk into. Their safety is constantly in question when doing a traffic stop. Basically, take out the key or push the button and turn the car off, it's not that difficult.
4. Hands On
This following point is especially important at night.
As soon as you get your car turned off- place your hands on the steering wheel. If you have passengers, tell them to put their hands on their laps or something similar. Why? The officer can see your hands that way and know you don't have a weapon or something like that waiting for them. Sometimes an officer will assume you are armed as a result of the violation (ie. fleeing police, ridiculous speeding, etc.). Therefore, making it clear you are unarmed can seriously reduce the potential of complications resulting from the stop.
5. Be Respectful
Okay. It's obvious you are annoyed that you got pulled over. However, that is not an excuse for giving an officer attitude. One, that's just disrespectful because of the nature of their job. Two, that's not at all going to help you get out of a ticket. Instead of greeting the cop with attitude, try something of the lines of "Good morning/afternoon/evening, Officer. How are you?" or "Hello Officer, why did you pull me over?". Having kind and respectful conversation is just common courtesy and can help you down the road.
6. DENY DENY DENY
"Do you know why I pulled you over?"
When asked this question you may know exactly why you were pulled over. You may have been going 15 in a 30, 90 in a 55 (my friend did something similar and now we call him speedy), or have a taillight out. Regardless, never admit what you have done. You have a 5th amendment protection against self incrimination. This means, you have no legal obligation to confess. In fact, if you do confess to speeding or something along those terms, you are basically guaranteed to get a ticket. Remember, there is a huge amount of discretion found in the criminal justice system. Do everything you can to make the discretion go in your favor.
7. Fourth Amendment
Let's say that something goes horribly wrong and the cop asks you to step out of the car. The first thing you should do is shut the door and lock your car. The officer may question you, but there's nothing they can do. Unless, there is something illegal in plan view in your car (drugs, unregistered handguns, etc.) or the officer can smell something like marijuana coming from your car.
If there is nothing in plain sight in your car, you have every right to deny a search. The fourth amendment to the U.S. Constitution grants protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. Therefore, if there is no evidence of anything in your car, you're safe. HOWEVER, the supreme court ruled in United States v Drayton that if you give consent to search, the officer does not legally need to tell you that you can deny the search.
Even if you know you have nothing illegal in your car, it is always a good idea to refuse the search. You never know if someone you're associated with left something in there, or if for some reason the cop wants to plant something on you.
8. Shhh...
If something goes even worse and you get arrested, you do have your right to remain silent. However, you need to state that you are using that right, according to the outcome of Berghuis v Thompson. Sitting and refusing to say nothing will not help you and will annoy the officer whose custody you are under.
This is a lot to remember, so my recommendation is to just ~follow the law~ and not get pulled over ;-P.
