When Can the Police Search Your Car at the Roadside? Lehto's Law - Ep. 3.44

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

What if you say, “No, you can’t search my car, thank you,” and he/she says, “I think I smell pot.” And you know he couldn’t because you’ve never had any. Now what?

[@NotaFEDjed]

My father was a career deputy sheriff and he always said there are three things anyone can say to an officer that will piss them off and you can’t get in trouble for saying: 1. No. 2. I don’t know 3. This is your investigation. You figure it out. He also said if he had a nickel for every time he had to arrest someone for cooperating, he’d be a wealthy man. You’re absolutely right about all this. Love your videos.

[@chloehennessey6813]

K9s shouldn’t be enough for probable cause. They get rewarded when they alert. Dogs love affection and reward.

[@extremewc]

They had a K9 bark at my car, ripped out the back seat, the dash, and everything in the trunk and didn’t find anything. The police were mad, and just left me on the side of the road to piece my car back together 😠

[@danielcoleman4807]

In Raleigh NC, I was pulled over for running a red light. The cop asked to search my car and I said no. Then he said "You are under arrest. Now I can search it. I don't need a warrant." My car was impounded. I had to pay to get it back. Just like that at 7 a.m. No probable cause. I wasn't under the influence of anything.He didn't like my looks. I got a lawyer. The cop didn't even show up in court. Case dismissed. Be careful about saying no. Some cops are really dangerous.

[@illbeyourstumbleine]

I was rear ended. It was with a lot of force and completely totalled both of our cars. Police show up and one of them knows the people that hit me, they're neighbors come to find out. He comes up to me, I am sitting on the curb outside of my car really shaken up and almost crying (my car hadn't even had it's first oil change). First thing he says to me is that my eyes were glossy and he smells marijuana. I told him I haven't ever smoked pot in my entire life and my eyes are red because I am upset and pretty sure I have a neck and head injury and need and ambulance. He told me they were coming but first he needed to search my car and for me to do a sobriety test. At this point I am crying. I told him I am sitting at a red light, got hit because they were texting (there were witnesses) and now he is trying to pin this on me because he knows them and that I heard their conversation. I told him I was too injured to do the test need the ambulance and no he can't search my car. He threatened me with the K9 and my car will be towed (it had to be towed anyways) and I told him I would do a drug/alcohol test at the hospital. He is pissed because he knows he can't fix those results. He is telling me I am obstructing his investigation. I can see that he is about to reach for his cuffs. So I say one more time again still in front of witnesses that I feel really dizzy and need an ambulance and can't do a test then proceed to "pass out". The witnesses rush to my aid and are telling this dirty cop off and because I am faking being passed out hear the whole thing, he then starts to threaten to arrest them if they don't stand back, basically letting me just lay there. Luckily the ambulance got there right then and put me in the back. So long story short dirty cop tried to pin a major wreck that a was the victim of on me because the distracted driver was his neighbor. I wound up getting a new car and a nice cash settlement from their insurance because they were at fault and there were amazing witnesses who stayed and gave statements. I also filed a formal complaint against said cop. The same people helped me out there as well. Cop got a bullshit pay break during investigation, city settled with me out of court and asshole cop still got to keep his job! Taxpayers pay for these criminals with badges. This completely changed the way I look at all police, others were standing there letting him do this to me knowing it was dead wrong, and the justice system that these bad apples get to keep abusing their power and we have to pay for in more ways than one. I got very lucky that day. Others haven't been.

[@luvsilly60]

Complete NOMADness We need better training for law enforcement in America. Sorry you got put through that.

[@cheryllakin3077]

There are really good cops out there. Unfortunately, there are too many bad apples amongst them. I've had the displeasure of encountering a couple, and I'd be writing a short story if I got into details. Suffice to say, after all of that, my respect for the police has been taken down a couple pegs. Some of them just dig their badge, gun, and power over you. That 'serve and protect' slogan doesn't always apply.

[@j.a.4360]

An issue arose in Virginia wear a guy was charged with indecent exposure while inside of his house "ran naked from the shower to answer his land line" some people seen him from the street and called the police. He was found guilty, appealed it all the way to the Supreme Court of Virginia which said that "windows on a house are to be looked out of, not in".

[@maxsdad538]

I remember studying a case back in college where LAPD detained a man for for traffic stop for 2 hours, finding nothing (this was prior to 1980). The resulting court case cost the City $200,000 for the illegal detention.

[@bokaratom]

If the police ask why you won't let them search your car tell them "Too many people have died for my rights for me to casually give my rights away."

[@mambak9]

Or just let them search your car and youll be good lmao

[@laurielewis6746]

👌

[@jmton6510]

@@mambak9 I know I don’t know why citizens get mad when they got nothing they just prolonging everything

[@brianbeard7278]

@@jmton6510 ? So what you think its inevitable the cops will search your car? Sounds like you think we don't have the right to privacy

[@chevybronco1833]

Because there are some states and officers that need the arrest.. and they will make up shit and put shit in your car.. . Now what?, his word against yours and your life is now messed up the rest of your life

[@karolstopinski8350]

The k-9 part is the skechiest here. First it may scratch your car and who will pay for that damage? Second, the signal it gives may be anything so even if the dog says 'it`s clean' the officer might say that he got the signal and how would you know it`s not?

[@dangelo1369]

Another note: The officer will not ask: "Can I search your vehicle?" That's too easy to refuse. What they will say is: "You don't mind IF I search your vehicle?" It's a deliberately confusing question. Because if you answer "yes", it can be construed that you agreed to a search, while the answer "no" also can be construed as giving permission. The best answer to that question is: "I'm sorry but I don't consent to any searches. Am I being detained or am I free to go?"

[@8068]

Good video and very good advise. Got pulled over by NYS Troopers in 2008 (a few months after my last tour in Afghanistan) on an on-ramp to one of interstates under the pretext of checking vehicles for expired registration or inspection stickers. Vehicle and driver clean. All paperwork in order. Stickers up to date. Trooper asks if I knew why I was being pulled over? No idea. Can I search the vehicle. I answer "No". Trooper tells me to get out of the car. Complied politely and was arrested. Two years later my lawyer and I walk out of court with a large settlement and NYS Troopers do not bother me anymore. The fourth amendment does work.

[@d.owczarzak6888]

Glad it worked for someone !

[@douggraham7998]

You got very very lucky! 99 percent of the time the judge will support the officer unless the officer has done such a bad job framing you that it makes the judge look stupid. The rule should be no dash or body cam footage, automatic dismissal! The cops are bigger criminals than the average person could ever be. They ruin people's lives daily. Most of the ones I've met do all the same things they arrest you for.

[@daniellenard2872]

I was threatened recently that if I didn’t consent they would make me wait 15 min for a dog and if they found ANYTHING I’d be arrested impounded and spend the weekend in jail with no bail, sounds like it was intimidation

[@martinezcherrylee2945]

I heard of cops planting drugs in cars.

[@spartanmerc1]

"May I search your vehicle?" "I'm sorry, but I'll have to refuse that request officer." "Why is that?" "You have no reason to search my vehicle." "Why do you think that?" "If you had reason, you wouldn't need to ask my permission."

[@gennymikel4296]

My favorite conversation with a cop is the one I never have. I don't dislike cops but I don't trust them.

[@Corvette2]

OUTSTANDING presentation Steve Lehto from a 32yr LEO. Thanks for the education 👍👮‍♂️🇺🇲

[@georgejudd1305]

Great job, I am a firm believer that everyone should know their rights. I am still in law enforcement 43 years. I have always talked my way into a person car. There have been numerous times the owner knew his rights and I politely thank them. I taught young teens how too insert their rights in a respectful manner because I have seen officers abuse there authority. Keep it up.

[@murphroberts4891]

You have never talked your way- and Will never talk your way into my car. Not because I'm hiding anything, but because (1) I don't trust your kind and (2) The principle of Constitutional rights is at stake. Those bastards will strip away our rights soon enough that I don't intend to help them.

[@toppgunn123]

I was a cross-country household mover. One day I had just finished loading a shipment in Hollywood Hills, CA. going to New York. The L.A. traffic goes no where fast during evening rush hour, so I pulled along the curb on Sunset Blvd. and decided to catch up on some paperwork. Suddenly, at the corner of my eye, I saw two cops running alongside my trailer in my rearview mirror on the passenger side. When they reached my cab, they jerked the door opened and said, "Step out here for a moment, please!" I asked what was wrong, but they insisted. I climbed out the passenger door and the first thing one of them asked was, "Where do you keep your drugs?" I said, "I don't have any drugs." The cop said, "Aww, c'mon! We know you over-the-road drivers put stuff up your nose." Of course, I denied that insult because I didn't do drugs period, or drink. He said, "Well, you don't mind if we take a look, then." Since, I have been pulled over countless times in the past for little or nothing and searched, and when I say "NO, I don't consent", they search anyway. I have been detained for over an hour waiting for a drug dog to show up, especially since my Rig is so big that it would take them hours to search it fully. I didn't want to be "illegally detained" again, so I told them to go ahead. One officer made me stepped toward the back of the cab while the other one climbed in. He started asking me all kinds of questions to keep me occupied while the other rambled around. I heard "bumps and bangs" coming from inside the cab and I asked, "Hey, what is he doing in there?" After about 10mins, he came out and shook his head to the other officers and climbed out. The he said, "Ok, you're free to go. Have a nice trip!" They actually ran back toward the back of my trailer and jumped into a squad car that I didn't know was there and peeled rubber getting away. I just shook my head and climbed up the steps. I literally screamed at what I saw. There was all of my belongings piled 3ft. high between the stick shift and the bunk. First, he took all of my paperwork from the overhead rack and threw them down, (and it was a lot), then he went into one of the cabinets and pulled out all of my folded clothes, towels and linen and threw them down. Next, into the pantry and threw all my food on the floor on top of that. Anything that had a lid on it, or in a container was opened and the contents poured on top of my clothes and papers. Next, into the refrigerator and did likewise. Anything liquid was emptied. Then he grabbed my T.V. from it's cubby hole and literally jerked it loose from the connectors. It pulled the wiring out of the T.V. since, the cable was screwed onto it. He did the same thing to the VCR. Both were rendered inoperable. He also jerked my Sony PlayStation off the shelf, but because the wires to it were the "push on" type, it came loose easily and continued to work and luckily it was in it's carrying case. Now check this out, (as if all of that wasn't bad enough). Most Semis have side compartments where we keep tools of the trade, like extra gallons of oil, antifreeze, lubricants, grease, snow-melt salt, hoses, cables, hand tools, etc. This compartment space runs the length of the bunk and is directly beneath it. You can access this compartment from either side of the cab. You can also access it by taking the mattress off the bunk and raising the hinged bunk platform. He did just that and of course, poured all the gallons of oil, antifreeze, power steering fluids and the other lubricants on top of my clothes, food, paperwork and electronics. I cried real tears because I knew that there was nothing I could do about it. I didn't even get there names and badge numbers. I had to sleep in the drivers seat all the way to New York, because my cab was a total wreck and no clothes to wear or linen to put on my bed. I was on a tight schedule, so no time to stop and shop for new stuff or clean up the mess. After my delivery, it took me a week to clean up that mess and several hundred dollars to replace most of it and new carpeting. That truck was my home! Sorry to vent so long.

[@BobbiDoll]

Yes, the cops can be lousy.

[@wanderer15701]

I have 3 million miles experience..I feel your pain..To this day I despise law enforcement for the misery they've inflicted on me for total B.S. Im looking forward to the day that I never have to see the inside of a big truck ever again

[@MyTube4Utoo]

You should show this video to the cops. They're under the impression that they can do anything they want, any damned time they want!

[@s1lverbullet1234]

@amzuel420 Imagine committing your life to a dangerous job that not only gets you and your friends possibly killed, but hated by the vast majority of people. I don't know if I could ever be a cop, and I don't think most the people commenting on here could either.

[@mambak9]

@amzuel420 yea and guess what the people who shot them are either is prison or dead haha no one wins ... the system is set for you to fail soo stop trying to rebel

[@laurielewis6746]

@@s1lverbullet1234 Oh, honey. I know them from both sides. And they're corrupt as hell.

[@iam4740]

I’ve read alot of comments, and most say “if there is nothing to hide” or “what if”, ect. Attitude affects action, however, with that said, it’s not about easy, or nothing to hide ect. It’s about rights to travel unburdened by authority without justification.

[@getboomersfit168]

Thank you Steve, great job! My suggestion 1. Do a 5 minute (or less) video because most of us have a short attention span. 2. Encourage and warn people to not fight or resist the officer if they do not agree with his actions. They have no way to understand what is in the officer's mind and it will likely get them more trouble than a simple traffic ticket. Resisting and fighting with the police can end in injury or death. The court provides a mechanism for the citizen if they are wrongfully detained or searched.

[@mchase7679]

I'm a cop, 24 yrs of duty,....AAAAA+++++++ PERFECT- WELL SPOKEN AND ALL OFFICERS SHOULD KNOW THIS. This is still the United States!

[@gregorykadok3356]

Same thing happened to me...i was stopped, i told him he did NOT have permission to search my car, and then I noticed he was a K9 unit. His dog sniffed my car and he said he got a "hit". I don't do drugs, drink, or even smoke, and there have never been drugs in my car. I laughed at him and told him I bet I was cleaner than he was, but he searched my car anyway and found nothing. My question is, how the hell does a dog have the ability/authority to violate my rights?! Obviously, the cop was a lier or the dog wasn't trained correctly, but my rights were still violated. I was going to make a complaint and decided to public records request the dash cam footage...and they came back and said there was no footage...there was 2 units there and both of them didn't have the dash cam footage. The law should be that if a dog is used and detects drugs then there is a reason to get a warrant, it still shouldn't give them the right to search...sorry, I would like drugs off the streets too but not at the cost of violating rights. Law abiding citizens are being harassed and violated in the war on drugs.

[@alb.dersame]

I don't understand why they can't be sued for a false alert. That such bullshit !!!

[@Charmed636363]

So being a woman, I don't usually wear clothes that have pockets. Everything I need is in my purse. Since it's in the vehicle, can they search your purse?

[@racewiththefalcons1]

NEVER give permission for a cop to search your car. Once they start looking, they can plant anything they want, and then you're done. Never, but NEVER, give permission, *especially* if you're innocent.

[@plowboysghost]

I've been pulled over for "changing lanes without signaling". Problem is...that I didn't make the lane change the county officer said that I did as basis for stopping me. He came upon me at a point in the curve of the road at a speed that suggests that he couldn't even SEE me when I entered the highway, much less see me make the lane change he alleged. I corrected him when he offered his excuse for the stop and he became belligerent. He told me to get out of the car and then grabbed the door announcing that he was going to "look through it for his own safety". I shut the door and told him NO, that I wasn't consenting to a search and that I knew for a fact that he didn't have probable cause. He then searched me, huffed and puffed, wrote me a ticket and literally threw it in my lap. I told him I'd see him in court. He didn't show. The D.A. told me he had just left and I told him to call him and get him back in the courtroom. Puzzled the D.A....lol. I told him that it was worth risking having to pay a fine I didn't deserve to see the officer lie on the stand. It was dismissed within minutes. The "officer" is a well known liar and as the Community Correction drug officer has taken drugs from people I know and never turned it in as evidence. His ex-wife told me what he did with a lot of what he took off people. He's burned people bad, and there are folks swearing they'll settle up with him one day. He's no longer a cop, but works as a fire marshal. He's but one of several I know as corrupt and criminal. I've had nothing but a few speeding tickets in my 46 years..and other than a few beers and a little whisky, I've NEVER, EVER even tried an illicit substance. I did take a pain pill twice in my life...in 1997 after oral surgery with a prescription. I've got no use for liars, thieves, or thugs...with or without badges...but i have a burning hatred for officers who are those things.

[@sampleowner6677]

Years ago I was a used car salesman. I sold a young guy a car and he had a flat tire. There was a bag of pot hidden in the spare tire well. They came back to the dealership really pissed off. We had no idea the dope was in there but he would have been in trouble if the cops found it.

[@jhill4874]

At 2 in the morning my daughter, on her way home from work, was pulled over for doing the speed limit. No weaving, or anything else. Nothing happened, but it did delay her getting home.

[@sshaw7912]

As a truck driver I was advised by an attorney several years ago to never submit to a search whether in your personal vehicle or CMV. And yes you do have the right to refuse to have your vehicle searched.

[@brentfarvors192]

Your attorney is CORRECT; NEVER submit to a search; EVER! It may not stop them (it SHOULD!!!), but the "evidence" can be excluded at trial due to multiple ( shrinking) reasons...POLICE STATE!!!

[@tmdawson2]

My father was an attorney for almost 50 years. He always said do not ever answer questions from LE. Examples, what are you doing out at this hour? Where are you going, coming from? The reason he gave is LE is fishing, for inconsistencies, anything stated they may use against you, it is better to state I will invoke my right to remain silent. Just my two cents.

[@greenspiraldragon]

Whenever they make up an excuse for reasonable suspicion they can search your car. But you don't have to give them permission to do it, and you don't have to make it easy for them. Plenty of times innocent people were framed by putting things in their car.

[@ja6368]

Oh please, lol

[@gordonjolivette5219]

I have an experiment... now police officers have right too...so this would have to be done under a terms of employment exemption...Give 1000 K9 cops randomly and without warning a lie detector test and simply ask them two questions.1)Do you have a secret signal for your dog so that he will indicate on a car that there are drugs when he does not detect them on his own? 2)Have you ever used it to illegally search a car? If we are honest it is likely that the result would be a horrible failing grade on top of the dogs themselves already getting a failing grade. I am aghast that after testing was done showing your average K9 police dog is only about 52% accurate, that the supreme court said 52% was good enough. 52% was a failing grade on every test I have ever heard of.

[@cashstore1]

I have seen videos where someone was pulled over for a traffic violation. They asked to search the car. When denied, they are instantly pissed off and say, you are being detained till we get a canine unit. They have to wait for the unit to arrive, then the cop with the dog will go around the car at least 2 times. The cop will knock on the car signalling the dog to smell certain areas. If a bad cop, he will say that the dog signaled that he smelled something, but all the dog was doing was responding to the knocking on the car by the cop. It's best to video the event while this goes down.

[@53bigmikejones]

OK, in previous video like I said, 18 years LEO. I was in Golden Meadow Louisiana, speed trap capitol of Louisiana, and was stopped for "3" over in a rental car. Officer done all his questions etc, I was in rental car. He asked to search and I told him NO. He brought the dog out and being a former K-9 Handler, videoed the search. In the clip, I caught the Handler Directed alert . . . . . . . . Of course, they went through the car and found nothing. Long story short, watch some of these people as they are tax collectors and will try anything. I took the video to court, beat the 3 MPH over and got the dog and handler de-certified. I had to appeal it to a higher court because many small towns you have Mayors court, which you will lose anyway. Go to District court or higher in your appeal. Always be nice, but KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!!

[@jchis9852]

Dang Mikey... what the hell were you doing down in the swamp? Feeding gators?

[@johnmac4769]

I was stopped in NH some years back. The cop said was snotty and said I was speeding. The speed limit was 35 and I was doing 40. He asked If I ever had a ticket in NH and I said no. He then wrote me a ticket for 5 over the speed limit and said "well I guess you have a ticket now" and chuckled. Well it really peed me off so when he gave me ticket I read it very slowly and asked several questions. It took me about 10 min to read the ticket and it was pouring rain. When I finally signed the ticket he was soaked and I wished him wonderful day and then I chuckled loudly.

[@sgillman16]

When I got arrested for marijuana in the car, the cop told me on the way to the police station everything I said wrong that led to that arrest. He was basically mocking me for not knowing my rights.

[@freddyflintstoned913]

As long as the camera is rolling they will behave. Cops hate to be video taped. It makes their paper work more complicated. They find themselves having to tell the truth. Keep the video rolling.

[@lolbr6818]

You're right, in car cameras are $100 & up but they work wonders at a traffic stop...

[@scrider8464]

Cop may say, "You don't have anything your not supposed to have in your car do you?" Of course, not. "Then you won't mind if I search your car?" I think your advice at this point is solid. Constitution, Bill of Rights...

[@scottdean2199]

I had a cop pull me over for speeding. After he took my information back to his car, he came back and asked to search my car. I told him I'd prefer he didn't. When he asked why, I said that I don't feel comfortable giving up my civil rights. He then said he smelled marijuana (my wife and I don't even drink), and I bluntly (and slightly grumpily at this point) said "no, you didn't." He then said that if I didn't give him permission to search my car, he would hold me there and wait until a K-9 unit arrived, and if the dog alerted he would impound my car to be "searched thoroughly" by removing panels etcetera. I waited for about 20 minutes before the K-9 showed up. Luckily it didn't alert (I know they have about a 50% accuracy rate). Still pissed me off.

[@scbane]

If they want to search, they are going to find a pretext to search. In my state, WA, we do not have to notify police of a CCW, so I never do. The one time I did, I was removed from the vehicle and disarmed, "for their safety." They then asked to search and I said no, they searched me without consent, kept peering in my truck with flashlights. Kept me in cuffs for 25 minutes in 12 degrees F, standing on the sidewalk. I filed a complaint, talked to the Sheriff, was basically told "we investigated ourselves, we did nothing wrong, GFY peasant." I consulted lawyers, none would take the case pro bono. End of story. They had no valid reason to pull me over in the first place.

[@zaz4667]

If a police officer asks you to get out of your car MAKE SURE you close the door behind you even if the officer tries to keep it open or says keep it open! That is another trick they use to search the car later! I have been there!

[@davidcw73]

Do not allow anyone to search your vehicle because some normal tools can be presumed burglary tools. A friend stopped to change a flat tire. An officer stopped to "assist". In his trunk, Jim had bolt cutters and chain for repairing playground equipment. He was arrested for possession of burglary tools. I was the unit security officer and this event caused huge amounts of aggravation for his clearance.

[@Tigman396]

I was working as a carpenter and my tools according to the police were burglary tools, I wasn't arrested though I did take a ration of shit from them.

[@RedSiegfried]

The real answer: whenever they feel like it, and if you try to stop them you will be arrested. Whether that's legal or not is irrelevant at the moment.

[@reginaldbrewster405]

The truth

[@raulalmazanalmazan8945]

Thank you for the free advice ! I hope that you do well in your profession. You are an awesome teacher of law, and a good asset to the law firm you represent. Again,THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE STATE OF MICHIGAN AND YOUR COMMUNITY !

[@Worshipinsong]

Hi Counselor. As a retired Connecticut police officer I won't comment on some of the Michigan specific stuff. The Terry Stop (stop & frisk) is a country-wide thing for those of you questioning that. My whole point to your listeners/readers is take in all the information you can to educate yourself. If you don't agree with what the police officer is doing, your fight is in the court NOT at the roadside which often ramps up things which can quickly get out of control. You can win in court against the officer if they did something wrong. You will be vindicated. Maybe even win a civil claim and get money and have your moment of fame on your soapbox to say how all cops are bad cause you had a bad one.....but I digress. Don't escalate things roadside cause your pissed. Yes, know your rights. There are good cops and bad cops like e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g else but please do your fighting in the court system.

[@stevelehto]

Thanks for the note. And I agree. Too many people think they can argue their way out of everything at the roadside.

[@boedayious4993]

Be polite to LE pulling you over. But you do not have to agree to un-necessary searches or trick questions by BAD COPS. Do not make it harder for your attorney. Good COPS you do not have to fear. Be polite and nice and they will be polite and professional back. Get your ticket and let the JUDGE figure it out. Love

[@publicname60]

All I know is it sure is terrifying when the officer is thoroughly escalated and pissed at your window for a driving infraction.

[@JC-11111]

The courts are sometimes just as Crooked as the cops. "tell it to the judge" is one of a cop's favorite lines. "let the judge sort it out" is another, and it's not an excuse to do your jobs sloppily.

[@gregstart1540]

I feel like there is an in between on this. Like it's very situational. There is no reason not to insist that your rights be respected. This situation should never have to come up in the first place but still there is that. If the cop on the other hand insists on walking all over your rights then I agree the courtroom in the place for it. Obviously video documentation is the way to go on that which is why I don't blame people for doing it.

[@ShiftyKen08]

This is part of the reason I carry two car keys in me at all times. Doesn't happen often, but the last time a cop asked me to step out of my car I simply responded with "wait one." I then proceeded to raise my windows, close the sunroof and shut off the car. While he was looking at me I took the keys out of the ignition and dropped them in the center console. When I opened the door to get out, I made sure he saw me lock the doors and close it. Long story short, no citation. But he did have a very smug look on his face when he said I was free to go and got in his car smiling at me. That is until I whipped out my second key, unlocked the door and opened it. Jaw hit the floor. Don't fuck with me, I'm not that guy.

[@kennethquick4165]

People are afraid of cops planting drugs in their car.

[@donprice6706]

Why can cops lie and we can't, but then in court they try , but they have to tell the truth. They lie and say oh I made a mistake . They don't get purgury. Why is that

[@dortot1]

I got pulled over for a broken license bulb late PM. "Can we search your car?" I told them no and and this is what they said " Why, you have something to hide". I said no, I am tired and want to go home and they said "Wait here, we are calling a drug dog unit". That pissed me off. No probable cause whatsoever and I created no suspicion. They railroaded my rights. The dog handler claimed the dog alerted. When I asked what it looks like when the dog alerts, instead of answering my question, she freaked out, raising her voice yelling out loudly about all her qualifications as a handler like I have no right to question any of it. They searched my car, stopped after another call 5 minutes later interrupted the search, and said you are free to go while of course, leaving my things strewn everywhere. The only bright side: no ticket because I cooperated. If there is a next time, I will take the ticket and get in their face and their bad ways. They wonder why people don't want to be cooperative. They lie to you and abuse their authority to trap you.

[@2wheelnutt]

Over the last several years some of my family members have allowed our cars to be searched and on 3 separate occasions they left behind damage to door panels, controls and under the dash panels and wiring. The under dash was so bad I turned it in to my insurance company for nearly $600. I told them it was due to vandalism by the officer and included his badge #. The insurance covered the repairs so this is one of the best reasons for declining permission for a search. There are good cops I’m sure but there are a lot of jerks who are cops. One thing, don’t be disrespectful but stand by your rights.

[@rockjockchick]

Lee Dudley exactly!!!

[@lrobinx]

What about the, "I thought I smelled marijuana when he/she opened the window to hand me their licence" trick? Or the extremely well trained K9 who will respond to an officer's subtle gesture? Best I can tell, if they want to search your car, including the trunk, don't need your permission, they can do that simply by lying.

[@stanhutchins7240]

If you believe the officer will lie by saying he smells what he believes to a odor commonly to marijuana coming from within a vehicle will lie, you have a paranoia or a addiction issue or you have been arrested for this prior. That simply is just a lie. If people actually believe that law enforcement goes out on there tour of duty to lie, and makeup incidents that actually don't exist on a daily basis is NOT TRUE...and if you want to believe this you need to go out to your local law enforcement agency and do a ride a long and keep a open mind and just sit back and watch and observe..after you have done this with several diffrent agencies and watch and learned how our job is conducted on a daily basis I am absoulty positively convinced sir you will change your mind and look at law enforcement in a totally different way. I wish people would be more involved with there local agencies and they soon will Realize that law enforcement is not what they thought it actually was. Doing this will stop or at least slow down all the rumors and false negatives about the police...god bless and have a safe day sir.

[@nix3001]

@@stanhutchins7240 officers lie all the time?

[@williambroyhill7638]

A cop will ask "DO YOU MIND if I search your car?" That way whether you say YES or NO it sounds like you are giving him or her permission. YES as in yes you can search my car or NO I see I not mind if you search my car. Be prepared to say "You DO NOT have my consent or permission to search my car."

[@stevezielonko1386]

Whenever theirs a big drug bust in our area the newspaper always says the folks arrested "consented to a search" and they found 2 kilos or whatever of some contraband drugs. Who consents to a search when they're a drug mule.

[@bobbyd963]

@@glasshalffull8625 the real question here is why would anybody be a drug muel?

[@Negative_EV]

I’ve seen multiple instances where they bring the dog to the scene and the dog actually goes inside the car during his “search”. Why is the dog allowed to go inside the vehicle after you’ve told the officer that you do not consent ?

[@2CHACHOUU]

those dogs are TRAINED LIARS,JUST LIKE THEY ARE

[@Mike-01234]

Friend of mine sold a car on eBay but he didn't want to use Paypal because of the fees, so he decided to drive the car interstate to the person who bought it and then he was going to rent a car and drive to nearest large airport which was 100 miles away. Long story short he was pulled over officer claimed he was weaving in his lane but he wasn't. The officer had him do field sobriety test then he asked if he had any drugs or large sums of cash. He being a law abiding citizen said he had cash sold a car was driving a rental car to the nearest large airport. The officer told him he would have to take the cash from him because anyone who carries that much cash could be selling drugs was told he could get it back after they investigate. If he didn't turn it over to them he could be arrested. He signed the paper which he thought was a receipt for the cash but in reality it was a document that stated he was allowing them to keep the money. In the end he had to hire an attorney and he got back his money 3 months later but cost him $8500 in attorney fees.

[@extremewc]

I wish I knew this when I was in my 20s...to late, but I’m teaching my kids their rights

[@barrydawg7544]

I was pulled over one night driving in town,, the cop asks for my paperwork. They always ask you this question". Do you know why I pulled you over". I said no I don't .. he then ask do you know the speed limit through the intersection you just came through.. I said,, I'm not sure,, 35 I would think... he said,, its 25... Then he ask where I'm coming from and I told him the name of this bar in town. He said have you been drinking tonight?.. I said no officer I don't drink...(I go to this bar to shoot pool)..He then leans in the car and say's I smell alcohol... so he never said that in the beginning only after he knew I just came from a bar...Then he asks me If I would do a sobriety test? I said.. I guess... meanwhile I already no I'm clean... lol. So I take the blow test and he said to me,, how old are you? I said 65,,, you just had my drivers license dumb ass,, you know how old I am, is what I'm thinking...so I said,, so what where the numbers on the blow test... he sheepishly looks at me and says 0.0. ... Then he says,, thank you for your cooperation you may go,, by the way what cologne do you have on? It really has an alcohol odor.. OH REALLY... its called Jack Daniel's I rub it all over my face after I shave so I will smell like a drunk and people will stay away from me and leave me alone when I'm out in public... Smack ASS... Cop's are trained how to ask questions to trip you up...give them as little as possible... remember if you have something to hide,, they will get that vibe off you.... be smart.....out smart the COPS....

[@solutionsengineering9730]

Cop pulls a guy over for speeding and asks him for his license and registration. The man says I don't have a license and the car is stolen. The Cop says can I look in the glove compartment? The man answers, no, I have a a gun in the glove compartment. The cop asks, can I have a look in the trunk? The guy says no. There's s a dead body in there. The cop calls his Sargent for backup. The Sargent approaches the car and asks, license and registration please? The man hands him his license and registration. The Sargent asks can I look in the glove compartment? The man says sure. Go ahead. No gun. The Sargent asks can I look in your trunk? The man says fine and opens the trunk for him, no body. The Sargent says to the man, why would he say all of those things? The man says, bet the liar said I was speeding too.

[@alb.dersame]

OH MAN !!! THAT WAS "GRRREAT" LMAO 😅 GOTTA REMEMBER THAT ONE ! WELL DONE MAN 💥BAM💥👊😎 Reminds me of a lawyer joke. The devil walks to the lawyer and says "I'll give you the World, and everything in it, in exchange for the soul's of your wife, and your children!" The lawyer pauses and says .. "Ya?" So what's the catch?"

[@imakeitgreen3777]

Lol

[@michaelmoore7975]

This has happened to me numerous times in different states: *Prelude:* Stops were initiated from speeding, bad taillight, incomplete stop, etc. and a couple of times the reasons given were scenario 2, but I suspect profile. Scenario 1. Officer claims to smell marijuana (impossible). No need for permission. Probable cause established, searches and finds nothing. Scenario 2. Officer claims a vehicle matching my description was involved in theft of either tools, wallet, phone, stereo, etc. whatever; robbery or burglary. No need for permission. Probable cause established, searches and finds nothing. (theft of tools was quite a common reason) Most of these no ticket was given and a few were extremely long searches. I can count approximately fifteen times this has occured in 4 different states in my 30+ years of driving. Profile? I am caucasian, very long hair, driving highly modified and loud (visually and audibly) cars. (hippie driving a hot rod for lack of a better description)

[@phoenixmyers2933]

You say you gotta get out of the car when asked? I’m on oxygen and have spinal cord injuries that prevent me from being able to get out of the car in fact my partner has to push me in a wheelchair that’s in my trunk, my question relates to that, what if you CANT get out of the car when asked?

[@SuperGiantGeckosLLC]

Answer: Anytime they feel like it. They just gotta say they smell alcohol or drugs, or suspicious activity, etc etc.

[@BirdDogey1]

Don't give consent to search. As a law enforcement officer of 17 years in a major metropolitan area it breaks my heart to state this. But video evidence has shown there are far too many agencies in the country that lack a moral compass. This applies to probably many podunk agencies in the South but as we have seen it has been rampant in Baltimore. At some point, this unethical behavior is going to percolate to the point juries have it in their heads. At that point, every officer's testimony will become suspect. All because of crooked cops and crooked agencies.

[@stevendeatley4878]

once when I had stopped at a local gas station for a cup of coffee a local deputy came in and asked if he could look in my car and I told him sure and he went out and came back and said the car is locked and I told him he could look thru the glass but no he couldn't get in my car.then he says ,I can get a warrant, so I told him go ahead and get it.and then he left me alone and I left.

[@AnantaAndroscoggin]

Ya mean, you can't ask the cop, "Empty out your pockets first, then I'll decide if you can search my car or not." Some Florida cop just got busted for planting drugs in a car.

[@souljahroch2519]

"Under advice of council, I respectfully refuse 'any' search. Thank you."🦁✌

[@claystanislaw2281]

Here in texas, if you make them get a warrant, they are highly likely to plant something illegal in your vehicle when they get back with the warrant. I know several people who have had this happen.

[@investigatorsunlimited]

Never let the Police search your car. Make them get a warrant ...(which they won't do, because the judge they wake up will be pissed) and more importantly, you are doing all your friends and other motorists a huge favor tying up a gaggle of police officers for a while and thus keeping others from being pulled over or getting petty and stupid tickets. I have my GoPro dash cam ALWAYS on. The favorite thing in Bluffton SC is the cops claiming their "probable cause" is you went across the road lane marking. After they say that, and it is on their body cam and mike recording, you have them. Because you can go to court, show your video from any time or distance prior to the stop, (and from experience, those blue flashing lights show up nicely as reflections in your car windows. Let them go through their "act". NEVER, EVER answer the question of 1.) where are you coming from? (It is none of their business and just politely state "no comment" 2.) Same answer when they ask Where are you going to? 3.) Absolutely never answer if they asked have you been to a bar or have you been drinking! Why??? Because even if you say one drink, or yes to being at a bar...PROBABLE CAUSE...but if you decline to answer they are dead in the water. You have 5th amendment rights...Do Not lie to them...simply decline to answer. You have now protected yourself. If they give you the lane crossing ticket...politely take it and tell them you will see them in court....and guess what...you will win..and they lose face and credibility with the judge. There is nothing worse than bad cops. I know a bunch of good ones, but unfortunately way too many bad ones.

[@ColdCanuck50]

I was asked this very question about eleven months ago. Driving home, late at night, one headlamp out, and the cop in the oncoming lane does a U-turn behind me and pulls me over. After asking for, and getting all the necessary paperwork, he comes back and tells me that he's giving me a "waivable" ticket (Oakland County, MI) for an inoperative headlamp. He explains that all I have to do is get it fixed and get the repair verified at my local station and the ticket will be dismissed from that point on. I'm thinking...great, nice night for a reasonable interaction with a nice cop. THEN...after giving me the ticket, he asks if he can search my car. Now I feel slightly guilty for saying no since he came off so reasonable with the ticket. I bit the inside of my cheek and still said "I would prefer that you not do that, sir." He looked at me with a little smile and said "Why not, are you hiding a body in your trunk?" I just laughed and stated that I hadn't done anything to justify that sort of attention, but I did appreciate the offer. A couple of "Have a good night"s and that was it. It was one of the officers from Bloomfield Township Police but the name, unfortunately, escapes me. I always treat cops the way I prefer to be treated, with some respect, a little humor perhaps, and some understanding of the other person's situation. It's never served me wrong so far.

[@stipcrane]

"May I search your car?" That's very nice of you to ask, but no, thank you. I can do it when I get home.

[@katelovell625]

hilarious

[@illuminaughty8451]

Steevo I like you, human.

[@petebrian2841]

Steve Most Leo's here in Florida will ask "Do you mind if I/we search your vehicle?" They do that so if you say no they can construe it to mean "No, I don't mind". Always say "I do not consent to searches."

[@wildmustangart1577]

I'm from Colorado. Got pulled over for speeding (Guilty) driving across Kansas. I was carrying concealed with a permit and advised the officer. He was not concerned. Gave him credentials, he ran my license and and it came back clear of course. After he handed me my stuff and gave me a warning, he asked if he could look in the back of my SUV (remember that Colorado Plate?)... Marijuana is legal in Colorado, Not in Kansas. I don't use it, my friends don't use it, I haven't touched it since 1985. I went over options in my head, knowing there wasn't anything illegali in there and he didn't have resonable suspicion OR probable cause having worked for a Judge for 5 years. I thought "me, a Deputy, alone on a backroad in the middle of nowhere, this could go 2 ways, he could delay me by getting a warrant if I said no, or I could just let him look and be on my way. - I chose to let him look. I got out of the car, he asked me for my pistol, which of course, I had no problem with, he set it on the passenger seat and let me show him around the stuff in my car. I contemplated "no thanks" ...but was a little twitchy as to what might happen if he was persistant. There was nothing in the truck, he was satisfied, told me to slow down and I was on my way...he was very polite about it. I was there maybe 15 minutes total. It DID have me thining though (I'm 56, very polite and cooperative and have a clean record)... anyhoo...great topic!

[@tiffanybaker2686]

In the good ol' backwoods of Saline County, Arkansas the police tend to do as they please regardless of any laws. I recently as of a week ago went to jail for two days now "routine traffic stop". I was driving with a suspended license however, the cop who didn't know me from the next person down the road, said he knew I didn't have a license so that is why he stopped me. Upon him saying that to me, he then said I'm going to need to search your car. I laughed and ask why? On a routine traffic stop theirs no need to search anything but not that I would mind but I do mind so I'm going with NO your not searching my car. He said then I'm going to call a K9 officer out here. I said well like I said sir I DO NOT GIVE CONSENT TO SEARCH ANYTHING ON MY CAR OR IN MY CAR AT ALL PERIOD. He then walked to his truck and when he came back he said I need you to step out of your car mam so i can detain you. I said excuse me on what grounds are you detaining me? I've done nothing wrong and not given you any reason or probable cause to even want to search my car He said that knife you have in your console is enough probably cause for me to search you and your car. So he began to act weirded out with his hand by his Gina's if I was going to do something to him. Like really?! I then asked him, what is the difference between detaining and arresting because basically they are the same thing right and you have no rea reason to do either to me. He then became aggressive in his tone towards me and began to cus when speaking to me. So I then said look officer I don't appreciate the way you are speaking to me this is clearly a routine traffic stop of which I have give you no reason to search me or my car or even detain or arrest me for that matter. So I hadn't choice but to step out of my car, and he then put hand cuffs on me and told me to stand in front of his truck to then wait on the K9 to show up. I said so you are now taking my right to give or not give consent to search my car completely away from me? He said no but we are going to let the K9 officer go around your car. And if it should alert us then we have all rights to search the inside regardless of your consent or not. No surprise here but the K9 of course alerts the two cops while I had no choice but to stand back and watch them literally destroy my car from front to back and top to bottom. I knew for a facti had no drugs or paraphernalia in my car. I did however have a couple of syringes and I am diabetic. So the cops test the syringes as i told them your not going to find anything In my car and those are used for me having diabetes. The K9 cop walked up to me after testing the syringes which came back NEGATIVE FOR DRUGS on them. But she said look mam I'm diabetic and those syringes are not used for diabetes so stop lying. She loudly said that extremely close to my face close enough to smell her breath if that tells you have close she was. Then she said well we are going to site and release you because the jail is over crowded and this is only a traffic stop as she was getting ready to take those cuffs off my wrists the guy officer who pulled me Over said umm hold up we are going to impound your car since 6oy have no license so you can go pick it up at the impound lot shortly. And within that same breath he says actually we are not going to let you go at all. We are not placing you under arrest for drug paraphernalia and instruments of a crime x3. I said what?! I don't have any drug paraphernalia or drugs in my car at all. He said yes you do it's a straw with residue. Then I laughed and became extremely pissed because I DID NOT HAVE DRUGS OR PARAPHERNALIA IN MY CAR AT ALL PERIOD. I asked to see the evidence since he was arresting me for something I knew for a fact was not in my car he said no I'm not showing you anything and I don't have to show you anything. And I'm not arguing with you. You have a straw with drug residue on it and now your going to jail!! I sat 8n jail for two days waiting for the bond hearing to I could get a bond to be released knowing I never had anything in my car that was drug related in it. They gave me a $15,000 signature bond and let me walk out. This all happened a week ago. Ive been harassed by these idiot cops in saline county for way too long now and enough is enough. They were pulling me over 3x a week and shredding my car I've never had a drug charge in my life. This is insane. I'm fed up and done with being harassed and now having to sit in jail for two days for something that was not even in my car at all. I go to court December 7th 2021 regarding this issue. Like I said police do what they want to do out here because basically no ody really stands up to them Well they have met their match because I will not have a drug charge on my record when their was no drugs or related paraphernalia in my car. #CantStandSalineCountyArkansas #RachettePolice

[@danielcoleman4807]

Sorry for the harassment. I've been harassed too because I had long hair. NC cops arrested me too after I refused a search request, cop impounded my car and took me to jail. I got a lawyer and had to pay him with a credit card. Case was dismissed. Please don't go to court without an attorney. Even if you have to borrow the money. Some states have legal aid offices. Please call around for legal help.

[@Meatwad787]

Basically, they'll do what they want. You'll have to prove their wrongdoing after the fact. Then you'll have to fight to overturn/ dismiss any tickets or charges?

[@richardgreen1050]

Yes but they had better have followed the law which is where they fail. And we have got to get in there before we show up on the day they tell us and get all of the information in the file regarding due process, the charge, the specific act of the legislature in writing including any changes made since passed. But really the courtroom jurisdiction is the one that is to be challenged because your court isn't that court... So you have no standing in that court a fact you are unaware of and a court where standing means everything. Lots to learn and it starts with the name of the defendant not being properly understood by virtually every one. There is no name written in English that is correct to our language that uses all capital letters. So that being the case who are they charging? Figure it out or take the shaft your choice....

[@chrisbyers1102]

if asked by a traffic officer who has stopped me for a traffic violation, "do you mind " or "can I have permission to search your car", my general answer is Well, since you are asking and not "telling " me, you obviously don't have probable cause so I'm going to say No, but thanks.

[@dalemurray4083]

You should NEVER let them search your car, You wouldn't be even nearly the first person to go to prison for planted evidence.

[@cbrown717]

Police canines will always alert when the officer wants him to.

[@jnywd8450]

I worked with an ex cop. He told me that they do that, and a lot more

[@mikeburns6603]

Yes, this happened to me this past summer. They used the fake doggy sniff test. They found nothing, but the point is that they can get around that 4th Ammendment stuff very easily. The Supremes give zero restrictions on the police state.

[@SlapChop1000]

@@jnywd8450 same here..the guy I talked to said he was disgusted with some of the crap he has seen and the stuff that his fellow officers were getting away with..he never gave me details but I believe him 100%

[@SlapChop1000]

@@mikeburns6603 happened to me and my friend about 10 years ago..we got pulled over in a town that we were passing thru and we had an unopened 6 pack of beer in our car..the town we got pulled over in was a “Dry Town”..which means they don’t allow alcohol sales in that town so right away the cop said he had permission to search our car because of the beer..I told the cop he was wrong so then the cop makes a call over the radio and brings in a canine..the canine detected drugs in our car lmao..we had no drugs in our car but the dog ended up pissing all over my buddy’s car front seat and back seats..it’s almost like they were giving the dog commands to piss because they were mad the dog didn’t find any drugs.

[@jarrodgillen5098]

@@SlapChop1000 yeah but did you go to jail? Piss on my car up and down and all around. Walking away without a charge is a win.

[@kater4052]

Until a couple of years ago, I lived down by the Texas border near a "colonia", which is the term used to describe a predominantly (often poor) Latino neighborhood/suburb. Every few months they would block off the only road out of the place and search every car. They would refuse to tell you why they were doing this and would threaten arrest if you refused to let them search. At the time they did this, it was when many were headed for work, so there would be a line of vehicles waiting to be searched. I was a nurse dressed in my whites and after being stopped a couple of times and made late to work, for which I was given demerit points, I refused. I got out of it by making a big fuss and threatening to go to the news media about what they were up to and how they kept making me late for work in the ER and that I would see a lawyer. Also I believe they let me go without searching because I am white. Sad to say, some of the officers were Latino themselves. After I made the big fuss, they would always wave me around the traffic stop "because she's a nurse". Funny they never did that even though it was clear I was a nurse before, but only after I threatened to sue and go to the media.

[@diablominero]

"whose cocaine is that" -> If there's cocaine, I'd expect it to be yours, officer. I know I don't have any.

[@BigDogCountry]

Pretty Much whenever they want. If you don't consent, they'll keep you there and a _dog_ will indicate whatever they want the _dog_ to indicate.

[@dillydave13]

Steve, you are going to hate this story from my misspent youth, but here goes. I was 19 (30 years ago) and I got pulled over for expired plate by two hours. Date at my girlfriends ran late and left her house at 0200 and it was the end of the month and my lazy butt didn’t put my new sticker on. Police had a legit stop, and ask to search the car. I had a Chevy Blazer then. I said you can look around, but NOT the center console and I had it locked. He had less interest in my car and needles me about the center console. Finally he searched my blazer upside down and found nothing. Literally my truck was super clean and neat, I’m particular about my cars looking nice. He ask again about the center console and I said “no thanks”. I laughed out loud when you said the same thing here. Anyways fast forward 2.5 hours (sun was coming up) and he produced a legit search warrant for my blazer. I ask him not to break the lock for the center console and I unlocked it for him. He opened it to find nothing. No papers, no lint, dust, nothing. He was super pissed and said he had to plead to a judge and he had to explain himself now. I said maybe he should have probable cause before getting himself in trouble. Lol. Sorry for the long story and I am on the straight and narrow, never getting in trouble and still giggle over this. Thank you for the entertainment on your page. Aces!

[@harveywallbanger1738]

Perfect.

[@louislandi938]

Years ago I would have trusted all police officers. Not today. One of their favorite reasons for a traffic stop is “I saw you weaving”.

[@normanbrown1944]

You know, I have been out of the US for most of the last 25 years. In 2018 I had to return for back surgery. During this time I took two cross country trips. Four times I saw people pulled over by hi way patrol. (Well, it was more than that. But, these four were special). The occupants were standing beside the car and officers had emptied the contents of their vehicle behind it. Just stacked up. One case was an old couple holding each other. Another case was a couple that were obviously moving across country (Uhaul being towed). The hi way patrol had emptied the car and the trailer there along side the road. He had back up to help empty the vehicle and trailer. The other two times were just two guys pulled over and the contents of their vehicle along the roadside. I was shocked at seeing this. Not once but four times. I have never in my 54 years of driving ever seen this.

[@yaudiyaudi9154]

Well sometimes it depends on what route your taking and what time of the year it is. Meaning in California harvest time is between Aug thru Nov. Major highways have been known to be corridors for shipping to other parts of the country. Lots of people have been stopped and searched for this reason. That also includes the way back. That's where the money is. If you can't show proof where that money came from. They can keep it.

[@dandeleona4760]

I got stopped for 'driving too slow' (i.e. the exact speed limit of a service drive at 2AM because I was being VERY careful on purpose that night because there were bad cops by reputation in the area). I was in a sleepy middleclass suburb in Michigan, and wound up handcuffed in the back of a squad car while two cops - man and woman - lazily rifled through my trunk, laughed at my Bible and threw it back in the trunk while they went through my file box of personal documents. SOooo .... saying "no you can't search my car" was moot since there was nothing I could do about it since they took my car keys and did it anyway and there was no witness traffic. When I got out of jail three days later (arraignment for NOTHING on monday) and my car out of impound, those personal files in my trunk were half gone, and the bank was sending me security notices that someone was trying to open new debit cards and did they have my permission? It gets worse. And because I was walking for a couple days before getting the car out of impound, they stopped me AGAIN as a pedestrian, rifled through my purse and asked me if I had any money. And when she didn't find any, she threw my purse back at me and they drove away. I don't have an attitude against cops. Couldn't pay me to do their job and I'm glad they're around. But can't trust all of them, and there's nearly no way to weed them out because they protect each other with the benefit of the doubt. I mean I'M the bad guy, right? Who're they gonna believe?

[@williamthurston7052]

I am a certified EMT and have worked as a professional ski patrolman for 35 years. After sweeping trails and punching out I left the ski areas after 5pm. I was stopped by a state police officer downtown after leaving the ski area. After presenting the officer with my license, registration, and insurance, he inquired if I knew why he stopped me? I replied "No." He stated, "Your license plate is obstructed." (It had snowed the entire day.) As I opened my door and to view and clean my plate, he shouted, "Don't get out of your car." I closed the door while he checked my license and information. (No arrests, warrants, violations, or unpaid parking tickets.) he returned my information and told me to pay attention drive safely. Four miles down the road a second state policeman stopped me and inquired if I knew why he stopped me? I replied, "Yes. It's because it"s snowing." He shouted at me, "Are you some type of wise guy?" I relied, "No. But the officer that stopped me in the center of town 10 minutes ago told me my license plate was obstructed with snow and wouldn't let me out of the car clear the plate." The officer never looked at my any of my documents, but rather walked to the rear of my vehicle and cleaned off the plate, and told me "Please drive safely." Some Officers are pissed when you obey the law.

[@tskipwadoo3447]

Cops are not your friend.

[@apegues]

The cops can search ANYTIME they want, all they do is look at you and say “is that Marijuana I small, I think it is” and at this point you get your car searched regardless of whether you want them to or not. It’s a very common tactic used here in Texas

[@nickfotopoulos5323]

Never tell an officer "No" when they ask if they can search. It's a trick to engage you in conversation and get you talking so you can incriminate yourself and they'll take your refusal to mean you are hiding something and twist your words to get you in an emotional state in which you are more likely say something they can use to search/detain you. Simply respond with "Is there something else I can help you with officer?" when asked any questions. You don't have to answer ANY questions and not answering is not reasonable suspicion. If you haven't already provided them with the legally required documents you can also respond with "Do you need to see my license/insurance/registration?" in response to any questions. Also don't be a stone wall. When they first walk up smile and say something like "afternoon officer", "beautiful day out isn't is?". Fill your interaction with say-nothing small talk. This gives the impression that you are cooperative without opening yourself up to self incrimination.

[@oldnotdead9868]

I'm a bond agent I have worked with police officers for over 15 years the stories I hear from my clients and the reports that I read you are 100% correct the cops will make it sound like you have to let them search your car because the average person does not know their rights. When they bring the dogs out not every dog alerts the same way I know one canine officer that said it is done all the time they will bring a dog out they will walk the dog around the handler will come back and say the dog hit. You don't know that dog hit I am a firm believer if they're going to bring the dog they need to explain to you how that dog hits that way you can see it.. Cops are devious they will lie to their own mother to get an arrest.. not to mention the bully cops out there that actually take you out of the car and search it without even asking or they'll get more units to show up to show more intimidation..

[@TheMindInvader]

I was stopped for speeding in Utah . He wanted to search and asked. I said “ you can do what you have a legal right to do but I will not give you permission to search anything.” 5 hours later we were still sitting in the 105 degree heat. Later he found some MJ, outside the car. Well, to keep it short, there was the MJ and a federal firearm issue. I went to court. I won. Beat all the raps. Because he committed perjury in preliminary. And because I Never Abrogated My Rights. NEVER compromise your rights. Once you do you are kibbles.

[@jimgilmore1067]

The courts have ruled that if a K9 unit is called in to assist you are only required to wait a REASONABLE amount of time for the K9 to arrive on scene. Most courts use 20 to 30 minutes as a reasonable amount of time, however the REASONABLE amount is determined by the judge deciding your case. I seriously doubt any judge would consider 5 hours a reasonable amount of time.

[@davefuelling7955]

I've got a question, Steve. If you are pulled over and they bring a K-9 to sniff around your car, can the police stop you from video taping the dog doing it's thing? I saw another post where a car was searched after a dog "alerted" on something in the car and in court the dog's handler had testified that the dog alerted so they conducted the search. The defense asked that the judge watch the body cam footage of the dog's performance. The judge watch the tape and then asked the handler to show him where the dog alerted. After the handler pointed out what he described as the alert, the judge said that he saw nothing other than the dog acting like a dog. Then he told the prosecutor that a trained police dog's alert has to be obvious to anyone, not just the handler and declared the search illegal and dismissed the case. It seems to me that anytime a police dog is brought to your car that you would want to tape it's activity.

[@dntlss]

I am 48 years old,in my lifetime i have probably been pulled over 40 times, mainly for speeding,expired tag,burn out headlight/taillight etc, the things most people are pulled over for in their lifetime,not a single time my vehicle has been searched or the officer has even hinted he wanted to search it,been pulled over at all times of the day, coming back from a party at 2 am,after having a few beers,going to work,coming home etc, if you act normal and like a human being and you treat them with respect very very rarely will they have a reason to search your car,start arguing with them and it will go downhill from there,always pretend you dont know whats going on and that "they are in charge" makes them happy and they move on to another target.

[@wolfman9999999]

That may be where you live. There are plenty of verified cases where cops have simply searched vehicles simply because they are behind on their quotas that are illegal and don't exist. I for one wouldn't trust ANY law enforcement officer any farther than I can throw them. Reason being is that I simply do NOT know them, and have no clue about how ethical they are. I have had them try. I'm white, respectful, and don't give them any lip upon contact. I WILL however, exercise my rights, and if they try to escalate, will dig in and stand my ground. Thankfully, the instances where they've tried have all ended with them dropping the subject. Still, states like Tennessee have very aggressive civil asset forfeiture laws and the officers are often incentivized to do whatever is possible to gain access to a vehicle to fish for something to take. So... yeah, be respectful, but don't assume that every single cop in every single case across the country is going to be the same thing. It quite simply isn't.

[@CarMaintenanceGuy]

I never have drugs in my car. Screw it. Let them search my car. They will find nothing. Give the cops anything they want. Stop arguing with them. You will spend hours on the side of the road wasting time for being dicks.

[@javierarroyo9765]

dntlss depends on where you are as far as the city, neighborhood, the type of car, color of your skin, how you wear your hair, even the kind of had your wearing.

[@xyzlne]

You have been pulled over 40 times and your 48 ? thats crazy. I agree that being respectful is the best way to go. I am no liberal. I'm white, 60, retired..2 Harleys and 3 guns but I do believe that in certain areas if your black you may get treated differently.

[@foxiedogitchypaws7141]

This is SO sad in 2019 there are police officers as well as people who are still with the mindless thinking it is ok to treat anyone less then they would want to be treated, it is just unbelievable. I can understand it IF the person is shooting people in a mall or park , etc to Still be treated like that person should be treated, "do unto others as you would want them to do to you" I think at that point, the bad person loses all niceties to be done to himself/herself.

[@johnsmith5515]

I use the 4th and 5th amendments. Just say them when needed. Be assertively polite. Talk as little as possible. If 2 police officers just, stand outside and say I plead the 5th and stay silent as the other one runs your driver's license. If one of them asks to search your car say outloud ,I do not allow you to search my vehicle or backpack if riding a bike instead of driving based on the 4th amendment. Always refer to the constitution. Also always show your hands by your side relaxed. Upon first contact with any type of police, security, etc. Show your hands and stop moving and wait for their directions to move. If you drop something in your car like your wallet never reach down to pick it up. Hands on steering wheel , cab light on just before. Don` t you or any passengers keep turning your heads around to look at the police, sit still, everyone's hands in the air. Don't say what roads you were driving on just incase a crime was committed a block away. Never say you were at a party or a friend's house, etc. Only give vague answers that can't be verified. Oh, I was bored, thought I`d go for a drive. Never make fun of the police or argue or be cracking jokes and laughing when the police walk up or when they walk away. Stay silent. Say things like, I want you to feel safe, I`m unarmed would you like to pat me down ? These are tested sayings and behaviors I`ve used in California which have backed the police down or calmed them down. They are allowed to lie to you to try to get you talking. Don`t talk without a strategy to get away from them. They are not your friends. They are looking to get you. Control the situation. If they walk up to you very fast ( California) stand still and calm yourself internally. Stand firm and relaxed. Talk in a low calming voice. If they threaten to take you in ( intimidation tactic ) say, go ahead I won`t resist you and you won`t find anything. The judge won`t like you wasting court time and you will open the city up for a lawsuit, etc.( I`ve used this on aggressive police) . The one officer got upset and left with his partner. You must stand, outsmart, be unreachable, invisible, not worth their time, etc. In the specific situation. It took 10 years to learn different strategies and to walk or drive away after harrassment. Takes practice. Watch the news. What do the people do wrong of the things I`ve listed and got shot, killed, or took a beating? Talk and behave in a manner that takes away the suspicion in their mind. Don`t get in an ego battle. Let them think they won. Remember it takes a greater force to defeat a smaller force. The USA constitution is that greater force when applied correctly with wisdom and creativity. There are other psychological tactics that can be used but are too advanced for people that have not mastered the basics of above. From USA with love, Js

[@jeaninecook8805]

I also was in Calif for awhile, and git stop once! I ask I'm I being detained if he says yes I say no more if he says no after 5 minutes I asked him again am I being detained and if so for what reason they're not allowed to keep you on the side of the road or anywhere else for anything. Of time most traffic stops should only take about 15 to 20 minutes not 30 to an hour! Never ever offer any any, other reason or communicate while you were out they will always find a way to use it against you no matter what it is so it's best to always do the first thing first keep your mouth shut!

[@mickaleneduczech8373]

Some years ago I was going through a Border Patrol checkpoint in Arizona. Like you I don't partake in any refreshments, but I had longish hair, an old t-shirt, and a Humboldt State sticker on the back of the car. Emerald Triangle. So as I'm going through an officer shoves his dog against my car, and directs me into the secondary exam area. Tells me the dog's hit on the car, (dog's watching the butterflies), but they're only after smugglers, and if I just hand over my personal stash it's all good. I got nothing. So they ask me to step out and inform me they're going to have the dog search the car. So I grab the bag off the passenger seat, my road snacks. They put the dog in the front seat, he sniffs around, goes to the back, sniffs around, goes back to looking at butterflies. Again, if I just hand over my personal stash, I can go, otherwise they'll search my car. I got nothing. So they dig through all my stuff, spend 20 minutes trying to get me to hand over my personal stash. They were determined that I had to have something even though the dog had no interest in my car. Duh! I'm lucky they didn't dismantle my car. Also occurred to me later I'm standing there holding my bag of snacks the whole time. They never looked in the bag. Now I didn't have anything in it, but I thought that was funny.

[@jjdogg0]

Humboldt people usually appreciate tyranny

[@billytaylor6604]

If they bring the dog, the dog WILL hit there are drugs in the car.

[@gregroberts9410]

In California was in a DUI checkpoint. I was asked if I had anything to drink; I told truth: a beer over one hour ago with dinner. Out of the car!! then they took my car and drove it to side street. They kept testing me for intoxication (was completely sober) then finally let me go; went to my moved car that they had someone drive without my permission, had about $300 missing that was inside the console (so searched car), they had changed setting of lights and engine was running. I felt like I was in a third World country; the Police were all armed and aggressive. I am white collar guy, that incident and others that were told to be by my law abiding friends really changed my perception of US "law enforcement"

[@Myxlplyk]

Look up "Don't talk to police" on YT. There's a 48 min video by an attorney and cop - all about shutting up to police.

[@Myxlplyk]

@@Erin-Thor The Constitution doesn't take a pause for DUI checkpoints. You can comply without answering any questions.

[@Myxlplyk]

@@Erin-Thor Your wires are crossed. Refusing to talk to cops and refusing to take a breathalizer test are two different things. It's not your job to make a cop's job easier. Protect yourself.

[@gregroberts9410]

I also agree, be careful with "law enforcement" of any kind. The Constitution does grant rights but there is a Grand Canyon between you receiving your Constitutional Rights and what "law enforcement" (and Homeland security) will do. I have worked over 30 years in defense contractors and we have many ex-US military. They particularly seem to have a lot of bad stories about their Rights being violated in many ways. One was waiting to cross a street and quickly aborted is attempt when he saw a Police officer, almost ended up in jail, officer did not like the way he looked at him. On the flip side was a passenger in a car of a friend who was in the Park service; he was speeding and drifting the rear end of the car in turns. I told him he should be careful on getting a ticket. He said he would not, since if an officer pulled him over his driver's license number would pull up "law enforcement" and the custom is for the officer to return the license (and registration and proof of insurance) and wish him a nice day! Sad that we live in a country like this but need to watch out.

[@Myxlplyk]

@@Erin-Thor No, we're not on the same page. Carry on and be a victim if that's what you choose.

[@joshuadaniels2229]

I live in Florida, so when they ask why they can’t search, I just tell them that Florida cops are known for placing drugs in peoples vehicles. They know I’m right because of a huge case of a Florida cop doing that!

[@nathanculp3138]

The last story he told happened to me 22 years ago. Gave me the traffic ticket. Then said I was acting nervous. He asked me to step out of my car to pat me down for weapons. I complied to his order. Not finding any weapons, he then asked to search my vehicle. I responded just like I should have. A polite "No sir. I'd rather get going bc I am late already(which was my reason for speeding). His smug response of "The Supreme Court says I can bring out a dog and have him run your car" brought out the argumentative side of me. I told him there is no reason for this, that he wouldn't do it if it were my Mom or my Grandpa he pulled over. I now am annoyed and tell him that he's wasting both of our time and the taxpayers money for no reason other than a power trip. But he insisted that he was fully within the letter of the laws and that I was going to wait for his K9 unit to make sure I wasn't a terrorist with "hidden bomb making materials". After waiting a while they showed up. Then once prepped, three full circles completed on the vehicle with no hits. Then he let the dog put his paws up on my door(caused scratches in the clear coat) and put his head and nose into the car bc the window was down for communication with the officer. Suddenly dog goes ballistic. Straight for an ashtray that had a two week old roach from a Doobie smoked weeks prior. Not a big fat stinky roach. This thing was smaller than my pinky finger nail. And prouder than most Father's would be of having their son become a Pro Athlete, both cops held me against the car while praising the wonderful job the dog did to take another young criminal off the streets. Jailed me. Made me bond out. To then tell me if I would have told him about it, he would've let me go. This is such a horseshit comment after the fact. And easy for him to say to make me feel stupid. Long story to say I guess I'm not the one who should've felt all that stupid. My attorney argued my case more effectively than the prosecution was able to. Specifically, the Judge ruled that the marijuana charge was thrown out due to the extended time to the traffic stop. From the time pulled over to me signing my ticket was 16 min. However from that time until the time of my arrest was another 35 min. This was deemed not reasonable to detain me for that amount of time after having been issued my ticket. It was explained to me like this. The moment I've signed and then been handed my final ticket, that they have no more business with me. And I do not need to ask to leave, that I can assume that I'm free to go immediately thereafter and roll up my window and lawfully drive away. So this has been the concensus among judges for quite some time. But here is the real double back b.s. that a judge can and did do to me. Once I plead guilty to the speeding ticket, he put me on a "SUPERVISED" probation for 12 months that had a $50 per month fee. And had to submit to random drug screenings of which I was required to pay another $25 per test taken. Also was sentenced to an anti-drug/alcohol driving class. That class costed me another $250. Probably got a worse punishment after they dropped the drug charge than I would've otherwise. Those are things, my lawyer, nor even the prosecutor I think, saw coming as part of my sentence. The surprise and pleasure on the prosecutors face still is perfectly clear in my memory bank to this date. So just remember, the system can be used to overcome unfair and unlawful search and seizures. But a judge can do just about anything, within reason, that they want or feel like when it comes to sentencing anyone in their courtrooms. Sneaky m'fer got me good.

[@brianroberts2628]

I got pulled over in Pa. The cop said my window tint was too dark. I live in Florida, wtf. How the hell was I to know the law in Pa. For window tint. And not knowing the law he also searched my van. Now there was nothing g in the back. Not even seats I just had a sleeping bag and my duffle bag with my clothes in it. I was. I was on the side of the road for 4 hrs they bought a dog and found nothing. I've been seeing too much of this stuff and heard to many stories. Cops think just because of they have a badge and a gun they can do what they want. When they want. Now not all cops are like that but even 1 or 2 of them are too many. We as U.S. citizens need to know or right and be able to use them without being shot for no reason or haveing bum charges bought against us.

[@johnholemanjr3738]

When the object changes from helping people to drive better, to paying the bills of a major municipality we all lose big time.

[@UniquelyME4life]

I was detained alongside a ride for 4 hours after they pulled me over for a welfare check. They didn't tell me why they pulled me over until the search the cat...without my permission.....they claimed my daughter gave them permission to search her car. I repeatedly asked if I broke the law, committed a crime and they said no

[@TheDarkHour684]

Poor cat. How’s mr kitty doing these days?