How Far Can I Question a Cop?

[pilotguyCANADA]

Just curious how far I could get before, you guys (cops) start handing out citations for whatever b/c I'm arguing with you.

It seems like some cops (not all), feel like they need to seem intimidating

Do you guys give people a chance to inquire or just plain shut them down most of the time.

[inspectorsmiley]

Without realizing it, the violator normally determines whether they get a ticket or a warning

[HotSoup]

I don't mind questions I'm even happy to answer them....the minute you start to argue you're getting the ticket and you can argue before the Judge

[stormz5192]

I will always tell you what you did.

[RoadKingTrooper]

Just curious how far I could get before, you guys (cops) start handing out citations for whatever b/c I'm arguing with you.

It seems like some cops (not all), feel like they need to seem intimidating OR everything that they say is true, right, and legal.

Do you guys give people a chance to inquire or just plain shut them down most of the time.

Most contacts involve explaining what the Violator did. Questioning the Officer really is fruitless except for clarification. Wanna argue? Go to Court. The side of the road makes for a poor arena and you will NEVER win!

As far as your statement about Cops speaking the truth, being right and legal....................What makes you think you would even know the difference? Do you honestly believe they would stop you in order to lie and mislead you? That is one of the most ignorant premises I have read here in a long time

Regards,


RKT

[ISPCAPT]

Judges get paid to listen to you argue whether you think a stop was legal or not. The side of the road during a traffic stop is not a courtroom and none of us really care to listen to what your neighbor says is legal or what you read on the internet how to get out of a ticket. If you want to argue then take it up with the guy who gets paid to listen to you.

[cajunguy]

Respectfully and politely asking questions pertaining to the reason for being stopped, or some clarification, WILL get you further than jumping out of the car waving your arms and shouting "What the f*** you stopping me for?"

Like someone else said, the violator's attitude can and has many times, made a difference in the outcome of the violator's experience.

Or like I told one once (who was ranting, raving and sticking his finger in my face), "You have the right to remain silent - - and right now would be a great time to exercise that right!" That was just prior to him getting fitted for my chrome bracelets. (Checked for tightness and double-locked, of course.)
Instead of a cite for a minor traffic offense and be on his way, he got to see the inside of the jail overnight.

Attitude is everything most times.

Oh well, unlike him, I slept in my own bed that night.


.

[DARE_SUPPORTER]

Most contacts involve explaining what the Violator did. Questioning the Officer really is fruitless except for clarification. Wanna argue? Go to Court. The side of the road makes for a poor arena and you will NEVER win!

As far as your statement about Cops speaking the truth, being right and legal....................What makes you think you would even know the difference? Do you honestly believe they would stop you in order to lie and mislead you? That is one of the most ignorant premises I have read here in a long time

Regards,


RKT

RKT, summed it up nicely.

[kshock]

By all means, you should question the cop. But you should preface your questions with your clarification that you pay his or her salary. Then tell him as such, the customer is always right. If the cop does not adjust his attitude to your liking, then politely inform the cop that you will have his badge if he does not cease the behavior that you KNOW is incorrect. This should get the cop into the right frame of mind and your contact with the police will undoubtably be memorable.

[SleepyCop]

Just curious how far I could get before, you guys (cops) start handing out citations for whatever b/c I'm arguing with you.

It seems like some cops (not all), feel like they need to seem intimidating OR everything that they say is true, right, and legal.

Do you guys give people a chance to inquire or just plain shut them down most of the time.

You can inquire, but if you keep at it after I tell you; your warning will turn into a citation.

-SC

[SleepyCop]

By all means, you should question the cop. But you should preface your questions with your clarification that you pay his or her salary. Then tell him as such, the customer is always right. If the cop does not adjust his attitude to your liking, then politely inform the cop that you will have his badge if he does not cease the behavior that you KNOW is incorrect. This should get the cop into the right frame of mind and your contact with the police will undoubtably be memorable.

Sounds good!

[dadyswat]

Up to the point it becomes COC.

[PhilipCal]

I would always explain to the violator why I stopped him. He has a right to know. I would answer reasonable and legitimate questions. I would also determine what constituted a reasonable and legitimate question. As ISPCapt correctly noted, the side of the road is not a courtroom, nor is it the proper venue for an argument. There is an old proverb in Law Enforcement: "You might beat the rap, but you won't beat the ride". Boistorous, argumentive drivers quite often ended up having breakfast, lunch, or supper with the Sheriff.

[jthorpe]

Just curious how far I could get before, you guys (cops) start handing out citations for whatever b/c I'm arguing with you.

It seems like some cops (not all), feel like they need to seem intimidating OR everything that they say is true, right, and legal.

I don't need to seem intimidating or anything else. I need to do a job, and the moment you interfere with my job, then you will find things going downhill for you pretty quickly. It doesn't have anything to do with ego. It has everything to do with the fact that we have job, and that we need to go home at night to our families.

Do you guys give people a chance to inquire or just plain shut them down most of the time.

It depends on how you ask. If you're a jerk and start arguing with me on the side of the road, I'm going to make sure you go before a judge to make that argument. the side of the road is NOT the place to argue.

However, if you ask me politely, I'd be glad to go into further detail about why i stopped you, as long as I have the time to do so. I always tell people immediately why I stopped them anyway.

[pilotguyCANADA]

[QUOTE=RoadKingTrooper;2038357]
As far as your statement about Cops speaking the truth, being right and legal....................What makes you think you would even know the difference? Do you honestly believe they would stop you in order to lie and mislead you? That is one of the most ignorant premises I have read here in a long time

Yeah I guess you're right; I'll edit that part out.