If you get pulled over by the police while driving your car, the officer will likely come to your window to have a conversation with you. The first thing they’ll do is ask you for identifying information, such as your driver’s license. They may also ask for paperwork like your vehicle’s registration or proof of your insurance policy.
You do need to identify yourself and show that the car is properly registered and insured. So don’t hesitate to give this information to the officer.
But beyond this, there aren’t very many questions that you actually have to answer. Police officers may ask you a variety of different things, and you don’t want to incriminate yourself. You can tell them that you do not want to answer or that you’d rather continue the discussion with your lawyer present.
What might they ask?
What the police officer will ask you probably depends on the reason for the stop. If the officer believes that you are impaired, for instance, they may ask you if you’ve had anything to drink that day. If the officer pulled you over for speeding, they may ask you where you’re going in such a hurry. It’s tempting to try to talk your way out of a ticket or an arrest, but answering these questions could actually give the officer the justification they need to arrest you.
That said, you could still face arrest even if you do not answer questions during the traffic stop. Be sure that you are well aware of all of your criminal defense options and the next steps you can take moving forward.