LAWYER: Say These 4 Lines—Cops End the Stop in 2 Minutes

Summary

This video educates drivers on how to handle traffic stops with four critical phrases that protect their legal rights. It emphasizes the importance of staying silent and knowing when to assert constitutional rights, such as the Fifth and Fourth Amendments. Key advice includes never admitting to speeding, refusing consent for searches, asking 'Am I free to leave?', and explicitly invoking the Fifth Amendment. The video warns against common mistakes drivers make, such as talking too much or consenting to searches, which can undermine their defense in court.

Takeaways

• 😀 Never answer the question 'Do you know why I pulled you over?' with anything other than 'No, officer.' This protects you from self-incrimination and avoids admitting guilt.
• 😀 Consent to a search of your vehicle can waive your Fourth Amendment rights. Always say, 'I do not consent to searches' to maintain legal protection.
• 😀 If you're unsure if the stop is over, always ask, 'Am I free to leave?' This clarifies whether you're being detained or can leave freely.
• 😀 Silence alone doesn't invoke the Fifth Amendment. You must explicitly say, 'I plead the fifth' or 'I invoke my Fifth Amendment right to remain silent' to protect yourself legally.
• 😀 Saying 'No, officer' when asked why you were stopped ensures that you don't accidentally incriminate yourself by admitting wrongdoing.
• 😀 If you consent to a search, anything found can be used against you in court. Don't consent, even if you're innocent.
• 😀 Officers are trained to make you feel guilty or like you're hiding something if you refuse a search. Stay firm and repeat, 'I do not consent to searches.'
• 😀 Asking 'Am I free to leave?' gives you clarity about your legal status. If the officer says yes, you are free to go. If no, you’re detained and should assert your rights.
• 😀 The body cam footage from a stop can be used against you in court if you don’t explicitly protect your rights. Always make sure to invoke the Fifth Amendment if staying silent.
• 😀 Every word you say during a traffic stop can be used against you. The key to protecting yourself is knowing what to say, when to say it, and when to stop talking.

Q & A

Why is it important not to answer the question 'Do you know why I pulled you over?'

Answering this question can be a mistake because admitting knowledge of the violation, like speeding, can be used as evidence against you. The best response is 'No, officer,' which forces the officer to state the reason for the stop on record without you implicating yourself.

What is the legal precedent for refusing to answer the question 'Do you know why I pulled you over?'

The legal precedent comes from *Selenus vs. Texas* (2013), where the court ruled that if you admit to an infraction, you waive your Fifth Amendment rights. You must invoke your right to remain silent explicitly to protect yourself.

What happens if you consent to a search during a traffic stop?

If you consent to a search, you waive your Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches. This means that any evidence found in your vehicle can be used against you in court. Officers ask for consent when they don’t have probable cause to search.

What is the correct response if an officer asks for consent to search your car?

The correct response is 'I do not consent to searches.' This protects your Fourth Amendment rights and forces the officer to provide legal justification for any search. Refusing consent doesn't escalate the situation but rather ensures that the search is only carried out if legally justified.

What is the significance of asking 'Am I free to leave?' during a traffic stop?

'Am I free to leave?' is crucial because it clarifies whether the officer is detaining you or if you can leave. If the officer says yes, the stop is over, and you are free to go. If the answer is no, you are being detained, and you should then assert your rights to refuse searches and invoke the Fifth Amendment.

What are the potential legal consequences of not asking if you are free to leave?

If you don’t ask whether you’re free to leave, the officer may prolong the stop without developing any reasonable suspicion, which can lead to an unlawful detention. Not asking this question could also undermine any claims of unlawful detention in court, as it might appear voluntary.

What are the three types of police encounters, and how do they differ?

The three types of police encounters are: Voluntary Encounters (where you are free to leave), Terry Stops (brief detentions based on reasonable suspicion), and Arrests (where you are in custody). Understanding the type of encounter you're in is crucial for knowing your rights.

What mistake do people often make when they remain silent during a traffic stop?

The mistake is thinking that staying silent automatically invokes the Fifth Amendment. *Selenus vs. Texas* established that silence alone does not protect you; you must explicitly invoke the Fifth by saying, 'I plead the Fifth' or 'I invoke my Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.'

How can staying silent without invoking the Fifth Amendment be used against you in court?

If you stay silent without invoking the Fifth, your silence can be used as evidence of guilt. Prosecutors may argue that an innocent person would have simply answered the question, making your silence appear suspicious.

What should you say if an officer continues questioning you after you’ve invoked the Fifth Amendment?

If an officer continues questioning after you invoke the Fifth Amendment, simply repeat, 'I plead the Fifth' or 'I invoke my Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.' This asserts your constitutional right and prevents any further self-incrimination.