Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's a fair point, but I'm kind of getting tired of responding to it. I think that such an absolutist stance can be more harmful than helpful in some situations, and that view is backed by my anecdotal but not-insignificant experience. Some officers do not care about your rights or the law, and if you demand a lawyer when they ask how much cash is in the vehicle after they pull you over for doing 37 in a 35 zone, the…
> if you demand a lawyer when they ask how much cash is in the vehicle after they pull you over for doing 37 in a 35 zone Why would they do that? Is that about being a drug dealer? I've probably been pulled over for speeding and/or crazy driving at least 30 times, and I've never been asked that.
What to do if you’re stopped by the police
91–100 of 194 posts
Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police
#92Former cop here. The article states "You cannot lie to the police". This is, generally, incorrect. Some jurisdictions may have some specific law, but other than certain exceptions, lying has no general consequence. If it did, there would be a lot more charges against pretty much everyone who has been arrested. In my experience, people will lie about stuff that's not even relevant, or helpful to them. Exceptions inclu…
Despite your helpful advice and decision to leave the "law enforcement" profession, please allow me to give you and all of your former colleagues a gigantic fuck you for all of the tickets, court hearings, fines, fees, heartache, and bullshit you have personally caused me over the years.
Additionally, for my friends and for others I don't even know that police officers have killed or wrongfully imprisoned, please allow me to extend another gigantic fuck you that you must suffer for showing your presence to me on this forum.
I truly cannot express succinctly or precisely my extreme disdain for anyone who willingly chooses to work in such a corrupt profession. Even if you jumped into a burning building or saved some person from dying, it does not in my eyes make amends for the destruction you have caused just for a paycheck and because the system told you to do so.
Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police
#93Earlier quoted context omitted.
> "These aren't my pants" I'd love to hear the context for that one :)
Guessing there were drugs in one or more pockets.
Never works. I was driving my friend’s car. I had a tire burst on me. I pulled over to the side of the road. Cops showed up in a few minutes and charged me with reckless driving. Made me take three different breathalyzers. I hadn’t been drinking so obviously it showed “well below the legal limit”. But my friend apparently had an empty beer can in the back.
You can never say it wasn’t yours, apparently. In any case, paid the fine. Oh well.
Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police
#94Earlier quoted context omitted.
> if you demand a lawyer when they ask how much cash is in the vehicle after they pull you over for doing 37 in a 35 zone Why would they do that? Is that about being a drug dealer? I've probably been pulled over for speeding and/or crazy driving at least 30 times, and I've never been asked that.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_forfeiture_in_the_United... .
I guess. So what, cops are coached to ask to help fund the department? If you say "yes", they'll just confiscate it?
Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police
#95Agree with most if this but not seeing any logic in telling an officer that you’ve got weapons.
Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police
#96Wow. This article (or other equivalent) needs to be taught in every high school.
Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police
#97Earlier quoted context omitted.
Lying in court is always* illegal. Lying in general, e.g "I didn't steal anything", "I only had 2 beers", "These aren't my pants", is not inherently illegal. All of these are lies I've been told. As a cop, if you get caught lying, i.e. intentionally false testimony in court, your career is effectively over. Any defense attorney can bring that one time you got caught lying up in court, discounting your entire testimon…
“As a cop, if you get caught lying, i.e. intentionally false testimony in court, your career is effectively over.” I wish that was the case, but as a LEO yourself you have to be aware that that’s absolutely untrue. Oh neat, there’s a whole Wikipedia article about it: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_perjury I want to assume good faith and positive intent, but I have to be honest that it really strains credulity…
The early history of the LAPD (1860's to 1920's) is basically a history of systemic corruption, complete with many many accounts of perjury. I highly recommend The Dollop podcasts on the subject.
Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police
#98Main problem with this advice is, I can either assert my rights on principle, be detained, possibly held in lockup, deal with the lawyers and courts... Or I can just let them look in my empty trunk. I say this with full awareness of how fucked up it is, but your bet is to be white and polite.
Unfortunately, where I live (Japan), asserting your rights and refusing a search is seen as probable cause. "If you were innocent you would just consent to the search" is how the thinking goes.
How does that attitude interact with article 35 of the Japanese constitution, which prohibits search and seizure without a warrant with adequate cause?
Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police
#99I really appreciate something more like this, with more countries included other than USA, like: India / China / Russia
In many countries, the answers get really complicated, really quickly, and can vary based on location and other factors. For instance in NSW Australia, you may be cautioned by police that “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you do say will be taken down and may be used in evidence against you. It may harm your defence if you fail to mention something now which you later rely on in court.” [1][2] The impact…
The Interview is a great movie about this, with Russell Crowe and Hugo Weaving.
Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police
#100something is wrong with the system if you need to be so paranoid with the policeman. it seems people are living under fear and police force in the U.S. can easily abuse their power and walk free. Does anyone still remember the tragedy of Debian founder Ian Murdock suicided in San Francisco? in EU or Asia, policeforce seems more approachable.
The police in Australia are far from perfect but they seem like saints compared to American police. I have interacted with them a few times and it has always been very reasonable.