• 25
  • January
    2012

It is not an accident of history that Promontory Point, the location of first transcontinental railroad-is in Utah. From Chicago and the east coast, on to California, Utah is a natural crossroads. And it's no accident that Interstates 70 and 80 pass through Utah.

I-80 essentially follows the route of the Union Pacific railroad from Nebraska, through the Wyoming, down across Utah and on to Nevada and California. I-80 is a busy interstate, even in remote sections of Utah, carrying thousands of cars and trucks across the state every day.

Because of all this traffic, some say that police know to target out-of-state vehicles, looking for those potentially transporting drugs into the state of Utah. I-70 from Denver, I-80 from Wyoming, and I-25 from Las Vegas, provides thousands of cars to choose from every day.

Reasonable Suspicion

To stop a vehicle, the Highway Patrol or Sheriff's Deputy needs only to observe any violation of a traffic law or vehicle condition. If you never speed, change lanes suddenly, always use your turn signals and observe the dozens of traffic regulations that apply to driving, you need not worry.

But any police officer will tell you, even a good driver, if watched long enough, will commit some minor infraction that would supply an officer with the legal justification they need to perform a traffic stop.

Everything You Say Can Be Used Against You in a Court Of Law

So, you are watching the red lights flashing in your rear-view mirror. What do you do now? Mind your manners. Greet the officer politely, provide your license and registration and limit your small talk. The less you say, the less potential material available to use against you in court.

While the police may ask you broad questions, you are not required to answer. Again, politely decline and ask for your ticket. You don't have to tell the officer the purpose of your trip or grant permission to search the vehicle.

If they are planning to arrest you, you are never going to talk your way out of it; it is best to simply request to speak with an attorney before you answer any of their questions.

Remain Silent

This is especially true if you believe you have done nothing wrong. By speaking with the police, you can only say something inadvertently that could allow the police to implicate in the charges.

Let your attorney do your talking.

Source: http://boingboing.net/2008/07/28/law-prof-and-cop-agr.html