In
any police stop, officers won't ask you to step out of the car unless
they see a probable cause to do so. Knowing this will protect you
from self-incrimination.
Despite
what you see on TV, police seldom ask motorists to step out of the
car. And they must have a valid reason to stop a car in the first
place. Therefore, police are always on the lookout for traffic
violations like improper lane changes, speeding, excessive swerving,
and so on.
If
stopped under these circumstances, keep a cool head and follow the
officer's instructions. If asked to step out of the car, do so; if
not, stay behind the wheel. Disregarding his instructions may be
viewed as a potential threat to the officer and may give him more
reasons to scrutinize you further. Minor traffic violations such as
speeding normally don't warrant a search of the vehicle.
Being
asked to step out of the car happens often in DWI stops because the
officer has to conduct a field sobriety test. You can refuse the
test, but it won't necessarily get you out of trouble. Motorists have
the right to say "no”. If, however, you feel you've been
forced
to comply, perform a sobriety test and, or consent to a search of
your vehicle, a good lawyer will be a vital ally in court.
No comments:
Post a Comment