Things To Remember If You Get Pulled Over

Getting pulled over by law enforcement can be a stressful situation, but knowing how to properly handle the encounter can make all the difference.

Lashandra Peoples-Johnson, a local attorney at Johnson, Cephas Law, joined News On 6 to give some pointers on navigating a traffic stop.

"Usually, if they pull you over, you can't do too much to get out of it," Peoples-Johnson explained. "However, you can do things to make it a lot worse."

One common mistake is panicking when you see a police car nearby.

"A lot of times we go into a panic when we see police officers anywhere near us, behind us, driving," said Peoples-Johnson. "And so I think it's important to know that if they are driving behind you, don't panic. Stay calm, because they may not be pulling you over."

Once you see the flashing lights on it's important to pull over the correct way.

"You put on your signal, and you go all the way to the far right lane," Peoples-Johnson instructed.

It is not advised that you pull over to the left, or try to stop in a median.

Once pulled over, your goal should be to create a non-confrontational environment.

"Turn your engine off, let them know that you have no, no real risk of fleeing," Peoples-Johnson said. "And also you want to turn off any music because it can become a tense environment if the police officer has to yell over you or your music to give you commands."

If it's nighttime, Peoples-Johnson recommends turning on your interior light "just to show them that there's nothing in there, that you're not a risk or a threat."

She also advises keeping your hands on the wheel and staying in the car unless instructed otherwise.

When it comes to searches, police need either probable cause or your permission to look through your vehicle.

"If you get pulled over and you start hiding stuff, or you throw something out the window, that can make them believe that they need to search your vehicle because maybe you're hiding something," Peoples-Johnson explained.

The best approach is to let the officer control the scene.

"You actually have no obligation to even answer questions," Peoples-Johnson said. "You want to make sure that you're respectful. If they ask you, you know, where are you going? Where are you heading? And you don't want to answer it. You can say, 'Officer with all due respect, I would like to rather not answer any questions.'"

Ultimately, Peoples-Johnson advises against arguing with the officer during the traffic stop.

"Don't argue with them, even if you feel like you feel like you didn't do it, because you have a right anytime you get a traffic citation to fight that in municipal court," she said. "That's your time to tell your side of the story. That's your time to get a lawyer, depending on what you have been charged with or how egregious the fines are, that's your time, but in that moment, you know to. Your citation. Thank you, officer, and you go about your way and you fight it in court."

By following these tips, you can help ensure that a routine traffic stop doesn't escalate into a more serious situation.