Understanding Your Rights During a Traffic Stop
Getting pulled over is stressful, even when you know you haven't done anything wrong. Lights flash in your mirror, your heart rate picks up, and it's easy to forget in the moment that you have specific rights that protect you during that encounter. Understanding what an officer can and cannot ask of you, before you're ever in that situation, can help you stay calm, avoid unnecessary complications, and protect yourself if a routine stop turns into something more serious.
What You Can (and Can't) Be Asked to Do
You are required to provide your license, registration, and proof of insurance when asked, but you are not required to answer questions about where you're coming from, where you're going, or whether you've had anything to drink. Officers sometimes ask these open-ended questions beca...
