What Am I Obligated to Tell Police During a Traffic Stop?
When you are pulled over by police during a traffic stop, it may be a stressful experience. However, it is essential to understand your legal rights during the interaction. Police officers are entitled to ask certain identifying questions and information. You are not legally required to answer incriminating questions during your traffic stop and can invoke your right to remain silent.
A traffic violation lawyer may be essential if you have received a ticket during a traffic stop in Maryland. At The Law Office of Hillel Traub, we can help you reduce the impact and cost of the citation and fines, depending on the unique circumstances of your case. In order to bolster the success of a favorable outcome, you must remember to refrain from answering incriminating questions. We have over 20 years of experience defending clients in the most complex traffic violation cases and are prepared to fight for your legal rights.
Motorists’ Legal Rights During a Traffic Stop in Maryland
As a motorist, you may have some confusion about what you must tell a police officer during a traffic stop. When pulling a motorist over for a traffic violation, police officers must follow a standard procedure which may inhibit their right to pull over individuals randomly.
Other than identification questions and commands, you are allowed to refuse to answer questions by invoking your right to remain silent. However, you must communicate your right to the law enforcement officer. As long as you are not suspected of a crime, you may be free from interrogation, including immigration status or birth country.
The following are questions and commands a police officer is legally authorized to ask you during a traffic stop:
- Order you to get out of the vehicle or get back in your vehicle
- Pat your clothing to check for weapons or contraband
- Ask for identification and identify-related question to confirm identities, such as driver’s license, registration, and insurance information
- Other commands related to safety
It is essential that you exercise your right to remain silent in instances where the officer may be requesting interrogative information that may incriminate you in any way. For instance, you do not have to answer where you’re going, where you’re traveling from, where you live, etc.
Knowing Your Rights During a Traffic Stop in Maryland
In addition to your right to remain silent if you are asked questions outside the scope of identity, you may have other rights that can help you avoid incrimination, including the following:
- You don’t have to agree to a search of your belongings or yourself without a search warrant. However, that may not stop a police officer from doing so. Making a timely objection may help your case later in legal proceedings. [a search can be made if it is associated with an arrest]
- You have a right to a government-appointed lawyer upon arrest if you cannot afford one.
- You have a right to make one phone call upon arrest. Law enforcement cannot listen to the phone call if you call a lawyer.
Speak with an experienced lawyer at The Law Office of Hillel Traub for personalized representation and tailored legal services. We are well-versed in protecting your legal rights if you have incurred a traffic violation citation or were arrested during a traffic stop.
Speak With an Experienced Maryland Traffic Violations Lawyer at The Law Office of Hillel Traub
If you received a traffic violation citation or were arrested during a traffic stop, Attorney Hillel Traub at The Law Office of Hillel Traub is prepared to fight for you. We understand how stressful traffic stops can be. Exercising your legal rights to remain silent upon providing answers to identifying questions is your legal right. As a former MVA lawyer with over 20 years of experience, we help clients diminish or expunge traffic violations with our personalized legal strategies.
Schedule a no-cost consultation by calling (410) 580-1100 or by filling out our contact form.