Being pulled over by the police can be a stressful experience. Understanding your constitutional rights can help you navigate the situation while protecting yourself legally.
Your Fourth Amendment Rights
The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures. This means police generally cannot search your vehicle without your consent, a warrant, or probable cause.
What Officers Can and Cannot Do
During a routine traffic stop, officers can:
- Ask for your license, registration, and proof of insurance
- Ask you to step out of the vehicle
- Conduct a visual inspection of the vehicle from outside
However, they generally cannot:
- Search your vehicle without consent or probable cause
- Detain you indefinitely without reason
- Use excessive force
How to Protect Yourself
Stay calm and polite, but remember you have the right to remain silent beyond providing identification. If asked to consent to a search, you can politely decline. If your rights are violated, document everything and contact an attorney.
When to Contact a Lawyer
If you believe your rights were violated during a traffic stop, or if you're facing charges stemming from a stop, contact an experienced civil rights attorney to discuss your options.