The best thing to do when your vehicle is stopped by the police is to be as polite and cooperative as possible. Once you determine that the police are interested in more than just issuing you a citation, keep the following in mind:
Do not exit the vehicle until asked to do so. Once you are asked to exit the vehicle, the officers are interested in more than just issuing a civil traffic ticket. Politely decline to make any statement or consent to any search of your person or property or perform any test or exercise of your sobriety.
Your rights include the following:
- the right to remain silent;
- the right to have an attorney present before and during any questioning;
- the right to refuse to consent to any search of your person, belongings, vehicle, or residence; and
- the right to refuse to consent to take any sobriety exercises, the "HGN" eye test, handheld breath test, or other breath or chemical test.
Do not talk to the officer about whether any items belongs to you or not. Simply continue to invoke your right to remain silent. If the officer continues to question you, know that the officer is violating your right to remain silent. No matter what the officer says, continue to remain silent.