You have rights; know them.

When can an officer pull you over?

A cop must have either 1) reasonable suspicion or 2) probable cause to believe you committed an offense before they pull you over.  

Reasonable suspicion is suspicion that is based off facts.

Probable cause means that it is more likely than not that you committed an offense.

If you are pulled over without sufficient cause, any evidence found as a result cannot be used against you.

What should you do when you get pulled over?

Do give the cop your license, registration, and insurance.

Do be respectful.

Do NOT give the cop permission to search your car. 

Do NOT give the cop permission for a drug dog to touch your car.

Do NOT admit that you have done anything illegal or that you have anything illegal in your car. A good response would be “officer, I decline to answer your question and would like to talk to my attorney.”

When can an officer search your car?

In order to search your car, the cop MUST have 1) probable cause that they will find something illegal in your car or, 2) your consent, or 3) a warrant signed by a judge.

If they search your car without one of the three options described above, the evidence they find can’t be used against you.