Navigating a traffic stop: Know your rights
Understanding Your Rights During a Traffic Stop
Hi, I’m Oklahoma criminal defense attorney Aaron Easton, and today I want to talk to you about your rights during a traffic stop. Now whether it’s a routine stop or something more serious, it’s important to know your rights and how to protect yourself without escalating the situation.
So first, despite this maybe being difficult, remain calm and polite. When you’re pulled over, keep your hands visible, preferably on the steering wheel, and be respectful, even if you feel like the stop is unfair. Cooperating with an officer’s basic instructions like providing your license and registration helps keep the situation from getting worse.
Know Your Rights
Second, you have the right to remain silent. This is crucial. Other than basic identification, you’re not required to answer questions about where you’re going, where you’ve been, what you’ve been doing. You can politely decline by saying something like, I’m exercising my right to remain silent.
Third, you don’t have to consent to a search. If an officer asks to search your vehicle, you have the right to refuse. Simply say, I do not consent to any searches. If an officer has probable cause, they may search your vehicle anyway, but by refusing, you’ve protected your rights and limited the scope of their search.
Record the Encounter
Fourth, you can record the encounter. In Oklahoma, it’s legal to record a traffic stop. As long as you don’t interfere with the officer’s duties, recording can provide an accurate account of the interaction. But always make sure you’re respectful and let the officer know what you’re doing.
Fifth, you don’t have to perform philosophy test. If an officer asks you to step out of the car for philosophy test, such as walking in a straight line, you have the right to politely refuse. These tests are voluntary. Remember, they’re part of the officer’s investigation and they’re often used to gather evidence against you.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
To sum it up, stay calm, know your rights, and never hesitate to seek legal help if the situation escalates. If you’ve been pulled over and believe your rights were violated, or if you’re facing charges stemming from a police traffic stop, you can contact the Worth Law Office. We’re here to protect your rights and defend you against any charges. This video hopefully can help you understand some of your rights on a traffic stop, but if you’re in a situation that you need to talk to somebody privately and confidentially, you can reach us by the phone at 405-888-5400, or online at Oklahoma City Criminal Defense Attorney.