How to best answer the question "Do you know why I stopped you?" during a traffic stop.?

El Scott

I usually don't ask this question. I usually tell the person why they are being stopped and then talk to them about it. I'll usually ask them if they remember doing whatever it was I pulled them for and ask them if they have a legitimate reason for doing it. As far as letting them go because of their honesty, that is also kind of iffy. If I stopped them for a serious infraction then they are probably going to get a ticket no matter what (if they tell me they did not realize they ran the red light going 60 mph and almost hit two cars doing it then I may need to see if they are drunk). If it is something kind of minor then attitude does count. I don't like people that turn on the tears just because I stopped them (I'm not that scary) and I don't like it when people over apologize.

defendant

Same answer as to this question " Do you know how fast you were going? No, but I bet your going to tell me!

beez

'No, I don't know.'

TheOnlyBeldin

If I knew what it was, I wouldn't have done it.

Mr. Goodhi

Always answer NO.

Never admit to anything such as, I might have been going over the speed limit. They can use that info against you.

K W

Just like you stated, tell the truth.

You could answer, "Because I was going 60/55", "Because I did not come to a complete stop", etc.

By admitting you know what you did was wrong and you were being truthful to the officer, the officer MAY just give you a warning.

BUT, remember, if you are given a ticket, it's because a law was broken and officers DO NOT have to give you a warning if they do not want to.

James R

im not sure why u stopped me did i do something wrong Sir

candylovesex34

I would play it cool and not admit anything. That's what most people told you. The person signing ranger says he is a cop, and do you believe he will tell you the truth? of cours he will tell you what he wants you to do. lawyers are good. after all it is they who fight for you in court, not the police. also cops lye in court. my brother had a cop lye in front of the judge in a trafic court and gotr away with it, don't trust them

larry l

If you are Caucasian say " Is it because I'm black?"
Then smile and say "Just kidding officer. No I don't but I know the book of traffic rules is as big as a New York City phone book, so surely there is a reason."

â™¥Orange Crushâ™¥

I wouldnt admit anything.

Just a simple no..

Not To Serious

Always say no and admit to nothing because it will be used against you in court.

Kenneth C

I never ask why I pulled some over personally, but I do know many officers that do.

I know many officers that like honesty and if you are honest and remorseful they will consider not writing a ticket. People say admitting the crime can be used against you in court. True, but I have never seen a conviction in traffic court based on the person saying "Yeah, sorry I was speeding". It might hurt your case, but if you were really speeding the chances of you winning were slim anyways.

One sure way to get a ticket is sticking your head out the window and demanding to know why I stopped you as I am walking up to the car.

Ashley P

Admit the truth. It may help you out.

no it all

Yes, Its called a pretext stop

earanger

Court,

What you say is true.

I was a cop for 8+ years, and I could tell when someone was stalling or telling me a lie. Usually their response determined whether I cited them, or took the engagement further - like a search. Telling a police officer a lie is the worse thing you can do. They can usually tell, and it makes them suspicious about what you're hiding.

The things you read saying not to acknowledge are written by lawyers, not by cops.

BTW - much of what bored stiff wrote below is a load of *%#@. Most cops do care if you have a situation going on. Cops are not trained to follow a script - at least the two departments I work in were not. They are trained to be observant and to listen to the citizen's replies. They are, as bored stiff stated, trained to maintain control of the situation for their safety and the safety of those around them.

"Ranger

Bored Stiff

First of all, the cops are NEVER your friend. In order to pull you over they have to have probable cause; example, broken tail light to expired tags, etc. Second, Cops are trained to intimidate and confuse you, in order to controll you. DO NOT let them. Answer their questions politely, but DO NOT volunteer anything not asked for. In the case of do you know why I pulled you over? If you know you were speeding, don't go into a long disertation as to why. Cops DO NOT care. They are trained to only follow a prescribed script, never deviating from their intent, like writing a ticket. They don't care that you are late for a job interview.
If you are walking and are stopped by the police and asked, Can I talk to you? Be polite and say, sorry but I am in a hurry, I can't talk right now. If the cop persists that he has to talk to you, ask him if he is detaining you or if you are free to go. You may need to ask that a number of times, do it politely. If you are not told why you are being detained ask the cop what his "specific and articulable reasons" are for detaining you. Without SARs a cop CAN NOT detain you. So much for basics. If you get pulled over for something as simple as a busted or burnt out tail light, you can probably talk your way out of it or at least get away with a warning. If you are being pulled over for something like running a stop sign, things get a bit tougher, as every situation is different. Your age as well as appearnce may influence how the cop approaches and treats you. While that falls under profiling, cops do it all the time, yet will never admit it. The most important thing to remember, only answer the question asked, NEVER EVER volunteer anything. Many times the person being interrogated by cops will literally hang him or herself by volunteering stuff not asked for.
Use your computer to get to know what YOUR rights are and a good place to start is the website of the ACLU at: http://www.aclu.org Cops bank on you not being aware of your rights most of the time, such as the right to keep your mouth shut. Also make sure that you have your driver license, registration and insurance where you can find them, without having to unload everything in your glove box and be advised that anything in plain sight that you are not supposed to have can and will cause you grief. A six-pack in the passenger seat will give you a real bad day.

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