by MD » Thu 28 Jan 2010, 22:19:59
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A.) If you get pulled over for speeding it doesn't hurt to talk to the cop. If you're carrying, you should mention that too -don't know if you have to by law though.
B.) If you just shot your wife, shut-up until your lawyer arrives.
C.) If you've been cooking the books at your company, shut up until your lawyer arrives.
I can see how LEO uses their tactics to incriminate people and sometimes they're wrong but if I were to choose an alliance of either LEO or Lawyers, I'd go with LEO.
I have to agree with you here. I do not consider getting pulled over by a cop to be an "interview" though. I have in fact talked myself out of several tickets using the blunt honesty approach. You clam up with a traffic cop or give him attitude and he is going to f-ck you sideways. But I have personally proven that the straight up honest approach will get you a pass many times.
Traffic stop;
#1 pull over...WAY over. completely off the road if you can.
#2 If at night, turn on every light in your car.
#3 Have your license out and in your left hand between your index and middle finger with your window down and your arm up on the door.
#4 have your right hand fully in sight as the officer approaches.
#5 take off your sunglasses.
#6 lean your head towards the window, look him her right in the eye, and give him/her an opportunity to smell your breath, without being asked.
#7 when asked if you know why you're being pulled over, don't be flip. You can be non-committal though. "probably going too fast" or "is my tail-light out again?" are good answers.
You won't win any points on a traffic stop by being a 5th amendment dick. In fact you're more likely to be harassed. Belive it or not most traffic cops aren't out to hang you for anything other that the little infraction that they pulled you for. Be a "straight shooter" in their eyes and do everything possible to take the stress our of the stop for them, and they just might cut you a break. Yes, a stop is very stressful for these folks. That's where cops get shot or run over by other drivers. It's a high stress situation for them. Make it less so and they'll likely thank you for it.
I even had a New York State trooper let me off with a warning for a 25 mph over violation one time. He said "thank you for pulling way off the road for me, I appreciate that."
Let me tell you something...NYS troopers are renowned for never giving breaks!
You don't win points on a traffic stop by being a 5th amendment dick.
Now on the other hand if I'm pulled into the station into an interview room? I'm gonna STFU..."I'm waiting for my lawyer." PERIOD.
Stop filling dumpsters, as much as you possibly can, and everything will get better.
Just think it through.
It's not hard to do.