There are a few things that you need to do during a traffic stop when interacting with the police. It is mandatory to have a valid driver’s license, to have proper insurance on your vehicle and to have registered that vehicle with the state. As such, the police will likely ask for this documentation, and you should provide it to them.
However, the officers may certainly ask you a few more questions. Common examples include:
- Do you know how fast you were driving?
- Do you know why I pulled you over?
- Where are you coming from?
- Where are you heading?
- Have you had anything to drink today?
When it comes to these or any other questions, you do not have to answer. You have the right to remain silent, which you can exercise if you so choose. The police officer cannot arrest you simply for refusing to answer questions.
Be honest and polite
This does not mean that you should be combative with the police officer. It is often best to be cooperative and polite. You certainly want to be honest, rather than lying about any of these details or providing false documentation.
But just because you should not lie does not mean that you are required to answer. You can use your right to remain silent to avoid these questions entirely.
You could still end up getting arrested, depending on the reason for the traffic stop—if the officer suspects impairment, for example—and then you will need to know about your legal defense options moving forward. Even after an arrest, you still have a right to remain silent and a right to an attorney.
