You’re driving home on a rainy night when you see flashing blue and red lights in the rearview mirror. You may not even be sure why the officer is pulling you over, but you carefully move your car to the shoulder of the road and wait for them to approach your window.
When the officer walks over, they ask you if you know how fast you were driving. Or maybe they ask you if you’ve had anything to drink today. They may simply pose a more vague question, such as asking if you know why they pulled you over. Do you have to answer these questions?
You only need to identify yourself
As a general rule, all you really have to do during a traffic stop is identify yourself and give the officer the proper paperwork. They will likely need to see your insurance and registration to show that the car is legal, and they will want to see your driver’s license. You should provide this documentation when requested.
Beyond that, though, you definitely are not obligated to answer any questions that the officer has. Remember that anything you say during the traffic stop could be used against you if you are arrested and taken to trial. Even something that seems simple, like admitting that you were speeding or that you had one drink earlier in the day, could be viewed as incriminating evidence. You can exercise your right to remain silent or wait to answer questions until your lawyer is present.
Your legal defense options
You could still be arrested, and you may find yourself facing serious charges after a traffic stop. If so, take the time to carefully look into all of the legal defense options at your disposal.