http://www.flexyourrights.org/traffic_stop_scenario
Found this site. not too sure how true it is. but sounds good.
"Published on FlexYourRights.org (
http://www.flexyourrights.org)
Traffic Stop Scenario
Scene from BUSTED
In any given traffic stop, with a few notable exceptions, the below rules will help protect your civil rights and improve your chances of driving awaysafely-so you don't have to be a legal expert to say and do the right thing.
1) Keep Your Private Items Out of View
This is common sense: Always keep any private items that you don't want others to see out of sight. Legally speaking, police do not need a search warrantin order to confiscate any illegal items that are in plain view.
2) Be Courteous & Non-Confrontational
If you are pulled over, the first thing you should to do is turn your car off, turn the dome light on (if it's nighttime), roll down the window, and keepyour hands on the steering wheel. Don't immediately reach into your glove compartment for your license and registration. Officers want to be able to seeyour hands for their own safety. Wait until the officer asks to see your paperwork before retrieving your documents.
The first thing you should say to the officer is, "Hello officer. Can you tell me why I am being pulled over?" The officer may give you a hard timeor say, "Why do you think I pulled you over?" Tell the officer you don't know. Most importantly, do not apologize after you get stopped, becausethat can be considered an admission of guilt and could be used against you later in court.
Show your identification if it's requested. Be respectful and non-confrontational. Refer to the police as "Sir," "Ma'am," or"Officer." Remain calm and quiet while the officer is reviewing your documents. If the officer writes you a ticket, accept it quietly and nevercomplain. Listen to any instruction on paying the fine or contesting the ticket, and drive away slowly.
3) Just Say "No" to Warrantless Searches
Warning: If a police officer asks your permission to search, you are under no obligation to consent. The only reason he's asking you is because hedoesn't have enough evidence to search without your consent. If you consent to a search request you give up one of the most important constitutional rightsyou have-your Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
A majority of avoidable police searches occur because citizens naively waive their Fourth Amendment rights by consenting to warrantless searches. As a generalrule, if a person consents to a warrantless search, the search automatically becomes reasonable and therefore legal. Consequently, whatever an officer findsduring such a search can be used to convict the person.
Don't expect a police officer to tell you about your right not to consent. Police officers are not required by law to inform you of your rights beforeasking you to consent to a search. In addition, police officers are trained to use their authority to get people to consent to a search, and most people arepredisposed to comply with any request a police officer makes. For example, the average motorist stopped by a police officer who asks them, "Would youmind if I search your vehicle, please?" will probably consent to the officer's search without realizing that they have every right to deny theofficer's request.
If, for any reason you don't want the officer digging through your belongings, you should refuse to consent by saying something like, "Officer, I knowyou want to do your job, but I do not consent to any searches of my private property." If the officer still proceeds to search you and finds illegalcontraband, your attorney can argue that the contraband was discovered through an illegal search and hence should be thrown out of court.
You should never hesitate to assert your constitutional rights. Just say "no!"
4) Determine if You Can Leave
You have the right to terminate an encounter with a police officer unless you are being detained under police custody or have been arrested. The general ruleis that you don't have to answer any questions that the police ask you. This rule comes from the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protectsyou against self-incrimination. If you cannot tell if you are allowed to leave, say to the officer, "I have to be on my way. Am I free to go?"
If the officer says "Yes," tell him to have a nice day, and leave immediately. If the officer's answer is ambiguous, or if he asks you anotherunrelated question, persist by asking "am I being detained, or can I go now?" If the officer says "No," you are being detained, and you maybe placed under arrest. If this is the case, reassert your rights as outlined above, and follow Rules #5 and #6.
5) Do Not Answer Questions without Your Attorney Present
There is no reason to worry that your failure to answer the officer's questions will later be used against you. The truth is just the opposite: Anythingyou say can, and probably will, be used against you.
In just about any case imaginable, a person is best off not answering any questions about his involvement in anything illegal. Assert your Fifth and SixthAmendment rights by saying these exact words: "Officer, I have nothing to say until I speak with a lawyer."
*Remember- If you do choose to answer any of the officer's questions, always be honest. Police are not easily tricked and will often become hostile if theyfeel disrespected. If you feel it is best not to answer truthfully, then don't say anything at all.
6) Do Not Physically Resist
If the police proceed to detain, search, or arrest you despite your wishes-do not physically resist. You may state clearly but non-confrontationally:"Officer, I am not resisting arrest and I do not consent to any searches." Or you may assert your rights by simply saying nothing until you can speakwith an attorney.
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Source URL:
http://www.flexyourrights.org/traffic_stop_scenario "
. Of course the k9 alerted that there was a smell of narcotics coming from our vehicle. I hadnothing on me (thank god), and neither did my friend. He then asks my friend who is driving, to get out of the car, and then another cop asks me to get out ofthe car. That's when he emptied my pockets, and they asked both of us to stand aside as they searched the vehicle.
