There are few experiences that are more intimidating than being stopped by the police. Things become even more tricky when you don’t know your rights. If you want to feel less intimidated and more confident during a police encounter, this article is for you. You’ll learn what you should do to prevent the matter from escalating. The article also covers some basic rights you should learn that may come in handy in that situation.
Always Be Prepared
You can quickly contact a Police Misconduct Attorney in Los Angeles from Pointer & Buelna when you have a challenging encounter with the police. However, this may not be necessary if you are always prepared when you drive. Always move with your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration. They should all be within arm’s reach, preferably in the car’s glove compartment. This way, you can bring them out and present them when the police make the request.
Don’t Be Agitated And Follow Procedures
The police are trained to know when a driver is behaving suspiciously, and one tell-tell sign is agitation. You must learn to remain calm throughout the entire encounter. Talk to the police respectfully and answer the questions they ask. If you don’t give them a reason to become defensive, you will most likely be on your way shortly after you get stopped.
Mind Where You Pull Over
While you are under obligation to pull over when you get stopped by the police, it is within your rights to choose where to stop. If you feel unsafe, like you are being followed by someone suspicious on a lonely road, drive further away from that area until you get to a more populated place. When you stop, calmly explain to the police that you didn’t feel safe stopping on a lonely road. It’s also important that your inner light is on and both of your hands are visible. When you are done talking to the officer, ask if you can go before you move the car.
Knowing Your Rights
There are a few basic rights that will come in handy during a police stop. You must already know that you have the right to remain silent. So, while it is a good idea to answer the questions the officer asks, you are not legally obligated to answer every question. Any question you feel uncomfortable answering should be avoided, especially when you believe the answer might put you in more trouble. You also have the right to refuse the search. If you are placed under arrest, you have the right to an attorney.
Next Steps
If you follow all the tips above and you still feel like the police used excessive force or any other form of misconduct, you need to file a complaint. Go to the police office and file the complaint with the department of internal affairs. If you aren’t satisfied with their resolution of the issue, seek legal advice. Your lawyer will strong-arm the department to do something about the incident.
Conclusion
A simple police search may not have to escalate into a violation of your rights. Unfortunately, this may still happen despite your best efforts to cooperate with the officer. In this case, you should be ready to contact a lawyer.
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