What Do I Say When the Cop Says, “Do you know why I stopped you?”
It usually goes something like this:
You are driving and all of a sudden catch a weird flash of color in your rear view mirror. Then, Red to Blue to Red to Blue. The police. Your heart starts to sink. For me? Maybe they are trying to get around me. No. They are pulling behind me . . . What do I do?
This scenario has played itself out thousands of times across the State of Minnesota. How do I act? What do I say? If you have been stopped and arrested by the police in Minnesota, whether it is a DWI or even more serious charged, there are a lot of things to consider. Once you get past this initial interaction, make sure you sit down with an experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney.
“Remain calm, respectful and comply with their instructions. However, don’t help them convict you.”
How am I Supposed to Respond to the Officer’s Questions?
When the police approach your car, the first thing they usually say is, “Do you know why I stopped you?” They are doing this because they want to use your own words against you to prove the you did something wrong, that you committed a crime. They are looking for an immediate confession. So, what do you do?
If you get stopped and the officer starts asking you questions like this, while this list is not completed, here are some basics.
Remain calm;
Be respectful;
Keep your hands on the steering wheel (it helps the cop relax);
Do what the officer tells you what to do.
Here are a few questions that you might ask. of course, always do it in a respectful manner.
Why was I stopped?;
Am I under arrest?’
Can I leave now?
If he asks why you were stopped, the answer is, “No, officer. Why was a stopped?” Again, the purpose is not to be argumentative but because simply making admissions that could later be used against you in a criminal case makes no sense. Remember, this is not the time to argue or become aggressive in any way. The problem is that officers are frequently trained to escalate rather than de-escalate and if that happens, you lose.
Remember. you have the right to remain silent and anything you say can be used against you. Trust us, these are not just words. It happens across Minnesota and the country every single day. So, give the officer your name, license and insurance and follow their instructions. As soon as possible, ask for a lawyer.
“In the end, always ask for your lawyer. This will limit what the Officer can do.”
Seeing those flashing lights in your rear view mirror can be terrible. However, what happens next could be documented in black and white on a police report. Think about your behavior and what you say and realize that the officer gets to write that report. Don’t give him or her ammunition to use against you. As importantly, talk to an experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Jack Rice is a nationally known and respected criminal defense attorney. He is a former prosecutor, a former CIA Officer and a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist. Jack is also the Founder of Jack Rice Defense, a boutique criminal defense firm based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation or call 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339. Jack’s got your back.