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I wanna do a thread for the Black Lives Matter, “I know my rights” type of folks.
I wanna do a thread for the black men who get nervous when pulled over.
I wanna do a thread for the sovereign citizen types who think I’m a bootlicker.
Here it goes:
I wanna do a thread for the black men who get nervous when pulled over.
I wanna do a thread for the sovereign citizen types who think I’m a bootlicker.
Here it goes:
When a police officer blue lights you, you have one lawful option: pull over. This is not something you litigate on the roadway. Any action other than pulling over is a crime. In some states it’s a misdemeanor and in others, depending on speed, it’s a felony. Pull. Over.
When an officer pulls you over, they have reasonable suspicion that you have committed a crime. Yes traffic violations are crimes. No, the police officer doesn’t have to have probable cause for a traffic stop. Don’t open your door or try to get out and argue. Put the car in park.
An officer can make the stop on any number of tiny things like a tag light or paper tag. Maybe your vehicle looks like one that just robbed a bank. IT DOESN’T MATTER the reasonable suspicion, only that it exists and arguing with the officer will just escalate the stop.
Don’t scream about “knowing your rights” and then refuse to ID yourself. You MUST ID yourself during a traffic stop if you are the driver. It is the law. Period.
Let’s say officers exit their patrol cars with guns drawn. Maybe the car you are driving appears to be stolen, maybe the registered owner has a warrant for murder, maybe the vehicle matches a description of a recent crime.
Now is not the time to argue your innocence case.
Now is not the time to argue your innocence case.
It doesn’t matter whether you have committed a crime. Remember, they ONLY need reasonable suspicion to make the stop. No proof of crime is required.
If they ask you to exit the vehicle, you exit the freaking vehicle. Police can remove you for their safety for ANY TRAFFIC STOP.
If they ask you to exit the vehicle, you exit the freaking vehicle. Police can remove you for their safety for ANY TRAFFIC STOP.
Keep your hands visible at all times. Don’t put them in your pockets. The officer doesn’t know you or if you have a weapon.
Handcuffs DO NOT MEAN ARREST. You can be detained for officer safety. Period.
Handcuffs DO NOT MEAN ARREST. You can be detained for officer safety. Period.
Listen very well for this next one: POLICE DO NOT HAVE TO TELL YOU WHY YOU ARE BEING PULLED OVER. They don’t have to explain ANYTHING other than your rights when/if you are placed under arrest.
Again, repeatedly asking why or arguing why escalates the interaction.
Again, repeatedly asking why or arguing why escalates the interaction.
Many times an officer will not tell you why you are being stopped or pulled out because YOU ARE ALREADY BEING HOSTILE AND ESCALATING THE SITUATION.
Some officers will do this when the driver has a warrant. No answers to questions until the driver is safely in cuffs.
Some officers will do this when the driver has a warrant. No answers to questions until the driver is safely in cuffs.
An officer can pat you down for weapons without a warrant while you’re are being detained.
An officer can look at things in your car that are in “plain sight”. If any of the items in your car provide evidence of a crime, the officer now has probable cause to search your vehicle.
An officer can look at things in your car that are in “plain sight”. If any of the items in your car provide evidence of a crime, the officer now has probable cause to search your vehicle.
Don’t run. It adds more charges and makes everyone angry.
Don’t fight. It adds more charges and makes every angry.
These things should be obvious.
Don’t fight. It adds more charges and makes every angry.
These things should be obvious.
Don’t flee for idiotic reasons like possession of marijuana. Be calm. Be honest.
Even down here in the Deep South, many officers aren’t taking you to jail anymore for that roach. It’s a ticket.
Even down here in the Deep South, many officers aren’t taking you to jail anymore for that roach. It’s a ticket.
The biggest takeaway of this thread is:
Don’t escalate the situation with your actions and police won’t escalate the situation. Less people will get hurt or be killed.
Listen to commands. If you broke the law, pay your ticket or do the time. Hold yourself accountable.
Don’t escalate the situation with your actions and police won’t escalate the situation. Less people will get hurt or be killed.
Listen to commands. If you broke the law, pay your ticket or do the time. Hold yourself accountable.
