A Californian's Guide to Surviving a Traffic Stop
No one wants to deal with a traffic stop, especially if it escalates into an arrest. Fortunately, if you are arrested after a traffic stop, a bail bondsman can get you out of jail and back to your normal routine. But to make sure that you don’t have to call a bondsman, here are some tips on what to do (and what not to do) when you’re pulled over here in California:
DO
· Pull over to the right side of the ride as soon as it is safe to do so. Officers may become suspicious or fearful for their safety if they have to follow you for very long.
· Stay in your car unless the officer asks you to get out of your car.
· Be polite. Being rude to the officer is certainly not going to help your cause and it is likely to make the situation worse.
· Ask for a warning. In most cases, it is acceptable to politely ask the officer to issue you a warning rather than a ticket.
DON’T
· Make any threatening movements or gestures. For example, when the officer asks for your registration and insurance, don’t just reach for your glove box. It’s important to move slowly and ask for permission before reaching.
· Answer questions in a way that admits guilt. There are common questions that officers ask during a traffic stop in order to trick or deceive you into admitting guilt.
· Ask the officer “What’s the problem?” This is an especially ridiculous question if you were blatantly breaking the law. The officer will tell you what you were doing if you truly don’t know, but be sure to ask politely.
If you forget about the dos and don’ts of a traffic stop and find yourself behind bars, the King is here to help. Here at King Stahlman Bail Bonds, we have been serving San Diego area residents for more than 50 years. Call us anytime, day or night, at (619) 232-7280 to learn how we can help.
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