Nobody wants to get pulled over. It’s a stressful time, and your immediate reaction is likely to get defensive, but it’s important to remember, to take the right steps and actions to ensure a positive reaction between you and the police officer.

Remember, given recent media events, police officers tend to be very on edge and cautious, and you want to keep things as civil as possible. Read our advice about what to do if you get pulled over by a Las Vegas police officer and how a Las Vegas defense attorney can help.

Stop Right Away

The first step towards making sure that your interaction with the officer is as stress-free as possible is to pull over right away. The moment you see the flashing lights or hear the siren, find the first safe place to stop and carefully pull over.

One of the first mistakes people make is that they think pulling over somehow announces them guilty. The truth is, things can go much worse if you don’t pull over. Make sure to use your turn signal and pull off the road in a controlled manner, as far as possible to make it safe for the officer to approach.

The Next Steps

As soon as you pull over, turn off your engine, roll down your window, extinguish any cigarettes you’re smoking and place your hands on the wheel. You can also turn on your dome light if it’s dark. These actions will help to alleviate any concerns the officer has about approaching the car.

Do not, under any circumstances, exit your vehicle unless the officer asks you to do so. You might think it’s a good idea to have your license and registration ready, but wait for the officer to request them before reaching into compartments where the officer can’t see your hands.

Regarding Searches

In general, the officer cannot search your vehicle without probable cause; An officer could chose to search you or your vehicle if they feel you are acting suspicious or hiding something.

Be Polite

Be as polite as possible. The more courteous you are, the more the officer will be at ease and the more likely they are to treat you with courtesy in return. Sometimes, no matter what you do, the experience goes badly and you find yourself on the wrong end of the officer’s ire. No matter what happens, continue to be polite and non-argumentative.

Las Vegas Defense Attorney

A qualified and experienced Las Vegas defense attorney can be your best bet should you get pulled over and the experience goes badly. A defense attorney can ensure that no matter what the circumstances, your rights are protected every step of the way. If you find yourself in a situation where legal representation can help, better call Paul at (702) 366-1888 for help today.