Federal protections
These rights apply across the United States, regardless of state. State law may add protections or specific procedures — see your state page.
Stay calm and keep your hands visible
Turn on your interior light if it's dark, place your hands on the steering wheel, and avoid sudden movements. Tell the officer before reaching for documents.
You have the right to remain silent
You are not required to answer questions about where you are going, where you came from, or whether you have been drinking. You must provide your license, registration, and proof of insurance when asked.
You may refuse consent to a search
You can clearly say, "I do not consent to a search." An officer may still search if they have a warrant, probable cause, or another legal exception. Refusing consent is not resistance.
You may ask if you are free to leave
If you are not under arrest, you may politely ask, "Am I free to go?" If the officer says yes, you may leave calmly and safely.
An officer needs reasonable suspicion to detain you
Under the Fourth Amendment (Terry v. Ohio, 1968), an officer may not detain you based on a hunch or gut feeling. They must have "reasonable suspicion" — specific, articulable facts suggesting criminal activity. A traffic violation (speeding, broken taillight) is enough to justify the stop, but once the stop's purpose is resolved, prolonged detention without additional justification may be unlawful.
You have the right to an attorney
If you are arrested or detained for questioning, you may say, "I want to speak with an attorney," and questioning should stop until your lawyer is present.
Passengers have rights too
A passenger may ask, "Am I free to leave?" and may leave if the officer says yes. A passenger generally is not required to provide ID unless the officer has reason to require it.
Recording police in public
You generally have a First Amendment right to record police performing duties in public, as long as you do not interfere. State recording laws differ — see your state page.
Do not resist or flee
Never physically resist an officer's instructions or attempt to flee. If you believe your rights were violated, the place to challenge that is later — in court or through a complaint, not roadside.
Prolonging the stop without reason is unlawful
An officer may not extend a traffic stop beyond the time needed to handle the violation (e.g., writing the ticket) unless they develop independent reasonable suspicion or probable cause. Dog sniffs, additional questioning, and waiting for backup without justification can make the detention unconstitutional (Rodriguez v. United States, 2015).
Coercing consent to a search is not voluntary
Consent must be truly voluntary. If an officer threatens you, claims they "will get a warrant anyway," refuses to let you leave unless you agree, or reaches for a K9 as leverage, any "consent" may be legally invalid. You may clearly repeat: "I do not consent to a search."
Officers must identify themselves and provide badge information
Most departments require officers to provide their name and badge number when asked. You may politely ask: "What is your name and badge number?" An officer refusing to identify themselves is a red flag and may be relevant to a later complaint.
You are not required to answer "Where are you going?"
Questions like "Where are you coming from?" or "Do you know why I pulled you over?" are investigative. You may politely decline: "I'd rather not answer that." An officer cannot extend the stop or escalate charges simply because you decline to answer non-required questions.
Threats to coerce cooperation are misconduct
Threats such as "Cooperate or I'll call CPS," "I'll tow your car," or "I'll arrest your passenger" — used to pressure you into waiving rights — are not lawful coercion. If an officer threatens consequences unrelated to the stop itself to force consent, that is misconduct worth reporting.
Passengers cannot be ordered out without reason
An officer may order the driver out of the vehicle (Pennsylvania v. Mimms), but ordering passengers out or detaining them requires reasonable suspicion. Passengers may ask "Am I free to leave?" and should not be punished for asserting that right.
Seizing your phone or forcing you to unlock it
An officer generally cannot seize your phone or demand you unlock it (with passcode or face) without a warrant. The Fifth Amendment protects you from being forced to reveal a passcode. Biometric unlocking is a grayer area — you may decline and ask for a warrant.
This app provides educational information, not legal advice. Using it does not create an attorney-client relationship, and it cannot guarantee any outcome. Laws differ by state and can change. Do not resist, flee, or obstruct law enforcement.