What To Do If You Are Stopped By A Police Officer?

1. Stop your vehicle as far out of the lane of traffic as possible.  Stay in your vehicle and turn on the interior light.  Good lighting assists good communication.  Relax and stay in you vehicle.  Leaving your vehicle could put you and the officer in danger.

2. Keep your hands in view at all times, preferably on the steering wheel.  Wait for the officer to request your license and registration.

3. Police are trained to ask for identification first, and provide an explanation second.  Give the officer a chance to explain why you were stopped.  Extend the courtesy by presenting the requested paperwork without an argument.  It makes sense and it's the law.

4. Do not argue the citation with the officer.  If you think that the citation was wrongly issued, you have a legal right to a hearing through the district court.

Why Was I Stopped?

1. Moving violations are the most common reasons a vehicle is stopped.  Some examples include speeding, failing to stop at a stop sign or traffic light, failing to use a signal, or failing to drive within the marked lanes.

2. License, registration or equipment violations are other reasons a vehicle may be stopped.  It is not uncommon for a driver to be in violation of the law without knowing it. 

3. Investigations often involve searching for a vehicle associated with a crime.  Criminals often use vehicles to facilitate crime.  Your vehicle may match the description of the suspects vehicle.

4. Courtesy, or safety concerns are other reasons an officer might stop your vehicle.  For example, your trunk may be open, something may be hanging from your vehicle, or on your roof, your license plate may be obstructed or you may be operating at night without lights.

Ok, So Why Did The Officer......

1. Why Did The Officer Sneak Up Alongside Of My Vehicle?  Police officers are trained to minimize their exposure to traffic, to reduce the likelihood that they will be injured.  The second reason is that they are trained to protect themselves tactically.  Many police officers have been killed conducting motor vehicle stops.

2. Why Did Two Or Three Officers Show up, If It was Only A Minor Offense?  Officers in the area always back each other up.  It's procedure to dispatch a second car to maximize the officer's safety.

3. Why Did The Officer Sit In The Police Car So Long?  Cruisers are equipped with a mobile computer, the officer is checking the status of your license and registration.  Computers some times are slow and officers will not take action until they receive this information.

4. Why Didn't The Officer Give Me An Explanation When I Questioned Him About The Offense?  Officers are trained to explain why you were stopped.  A motor vehicle stop is not the place nor the time to argue.  If you think that the citation was wrongly issued, you have a legal right to a hearing through the district court.