During a traffic stop, it is very common for the police officer to ask a variety of questions. The first thing they may ask for is your license, registration and proof of insurance. You should hand over this paperwork, as you are required to provide it under the law. However, the officer may also ask questions such as:
- Do you know how fast you were driving?
- Do you know why I pulled you over?
- Where are you coming from or where are you going?
- Have you had anything to drink today?
The most important thing to remember when faced with these questions is that you are under no legal obligation to answer. You can always exercise your right to remain silent, and you do not have to provide the officer with the information they are seeking.
Why would you do this?
One reason to avoid answering these questions is to prevent self-incrimination. For example, the officer may ask if you know why they pulled you over. If you admit that you do, they may treat this as an admission of guilt, arguing that you intentionally broke traffic laws rather than making an innocent mistake.
Similarly, you might admit to having had a drink earlier with dinner. Even if it did not affect your driving, the officer may use this statement to justify further investigation or a field sobriety test under the claim that they suspect impairment.
In other words, answering these questions could unintentionally make your legal situation worse. Sometimes, the best approach is simply to exercise your right to remain silent.
Your rights after an arrest
Even if you do not incriminate yourself, you could still be arrested. If this happens, it is crucial to begin exploring all of your legal defense options.
