When you’re pulled over or questioned by the police, it’s crucial for you to know your rights. You can stand up for these rights and know that the law is on your side, even if the police are attempting to bully you into allowing them to be violated. However, as you do this, it is important to remain respectful of the officers so that you don’t give them reason to take things further — perhaps by arresting you.
For example, the police may ask to search your car. One common tactic is to tell you that you should be fine with it if you don’t actually have anything you need to hide.
The implication here, of course, is that you do have something to hide if you refuse the search. The police will phrase it this way to make you feel like telling them they can’t look around is an admission that you’ve done something wrong.
It’s not. You have a right to stay silent if you want, and you have a right to privacy. Without a warrant, the police can’t conduct a search unless there is probable cause to do so. You can tell them to come back with a warrant or forget about the search, even if you’re totally innocent and really don’t have anything to hide. That’s your right as a citizen.
The police know this, which is why it’s important to be respectful. When you are, they’ll see that you’re standing up for your rights and not trying to be confrontational. They may not be happy about it, but there is nothing they can do. Plus, if they then carry out an illegal search without your permission, you may be able to get any evidence thrown out of court. They don’t want that, so they won’t violate your rights.
If your rights have been violated, be sure you understand the legal implications of this police action, especially if it means that evidence they discovered can’t be used in the case.
Source: Ask Men, “Your Guide To 5 Common Police Tricks | Basics,” accessed Sep. 21, 2016
