Most of the LEOs I've met would tell you to say no, as well. No matter whether you have anything to hide or not. Been told over & over, that they reason they always ask, is that bad guys tend to not be the brightest & will often give permission.

 

I hear where you are coming from I do but my first question for the officer would be, if he can give me a compelling reason WHY he would want to search my trunk. The old "your vehicle matches the description blah blah" does not work for me.

As much as I understand and appreciate the work a LEO does (I have 2 in my family), I also appreciate the laws of this nation. If I am complying with the officer, and not violating any laws, and have nothing to hide then WHY, WHY should a police officer have any right or reason to go through my personal property? If I am pulled over for speeding what do the contents of my trunk have to do with that? He/she is fishing and doing so without just cause because if they had just cause they would not be asking me to open the trunk they would open it.

If they are pulling me over on suspicion of drug running and have reason to suspect me, then I have no problem allowing them to search, but really, we have let too many rights slip already. Next thing they will be coming into our homes without warrants to make sure nothing is off. We need to draw the line somewhere.

 

If you haven't seen this, it is imperative that you take an hour and give it some attention.

 

+1 on this: "He said heck no I would not give permission to an officer. They have no right to search with out do cause. Let them bring a dog."

Without reasonable cause there is just no reason for an officer to search your vehicle or to let them and it's just an invasion of your privacy and space.

 

In my younger years I was a bit harder to get along with and was pulled over while riding through town and this LEO wanted to be a dick and wanted to search my Jeep for no reason other than being a young kid. I had nothing to do that day so I told him we'd wait for the search warrant to come down before I let him search my Jeep. He backed down and told me to go on. He never even gave me a reason for pulling me over.

 

If you haven't seen this, it is imperative that you take an hour and give it some attention.

Guys DEFINITELY watch this video. I watched it a while back and he makes some awesome points. They are not point frequently made.

Point is, you can be cooperative and courteous to an officer without doing each and everything he requests. There is a HUGE difference between an officer requesting something, and TELLING you something. You do not have to give into his/her requests to be cooperative.

Don't get me wrong, i think the majority of officers are great people, doing a thankless job. I have seen more than a few horrendous ones including on in my hometown who destroyed many lives before the Feds finally caught up with him.

 

Its your car, and you can give permission to search if you want to.

I've been asked a few times, always the same answer. "No Officer, I will not be giving you permission to search my car." And I always get the same response from them..."ok", and they go along with writing the ticket or whatever.

Although my favorite was the morning I was coming back from dropping someone off to class at 8am. Literally rolled out of bed to give them a ride. On the way back I get pull for no seat belt. He tells me why he pulled me, then proceeds to ask if I have any pot, coke, x, tar, meth, any handguns, shotguns, rifles, any hand grenades, c4, claymores, and/or any dead hookers in the car....lol
Obviously the only answer to a question that retarded is, "yep"

They are fishing. You would be amazed how many people will give permission when they have something illegal in the car. Most of the time because they think they will just search it anyway and then find it.

 

Its your car, and you can give permission to search if you want to.

I've been asked a few times, always the same answer. "No Officer, I will not be giving you permission to search my car." And I always get the same response from them..."ok", and they go along with writing the ticket or whatever.

Although my favorite was the morning I was coming back from dropping someone off to class at 8am. Literally rolled out of bed to give them a ride. On the way back I get pull for no seat belt. He tells me why he pulled me, then proceeds to ask if I have any pot, coke, x, tar, meth, any handguns, shotguns, rifles, any hand grenades, c4, claymores, and/or any dead hookers in the car....lol
Obviously the only answer to a question that retarded is, "yep"

They are fishing. You would be amazed how many people will give permission when they have something illegal in the car. Most of the time because they think they will just search it anyway and then find it.

To that point, my sister on one of her first traffic stops out of training (guy was 70 in a 45, no headlights or tailights (all broken out)) . She is writing him a ticket and asks if he would let her search the trunk. He says yes. Biggest illegal gun bust in the history of the city. His trunk was LOADED with guns. So yeah, this is why they ask. People are stupid.

 

Did you buy your car new? Has anyone ever borrowed your car? Do you know for sure that someone who worked on it, cleaned it, installed speakers, etc. did not just happen to loose some illegal drugs between your seats? Are they likely to find anything if you consent to a search? Probably not. Will they find anything if you respectfully tell them you do not submit to any searches? Definitely not.

Another great video:

 

It looks like i have to change my view on this subject to some degree. Like a said where i grew up you could go out for a nice ride the the country side and have a sheriff or warden stop 30 miles from anywhere just to look you over. Now back then there might be a king air or little piper crashed around the corner full of drugs and no one around. So if you said no. A warden could be brought in and they would and could go through every thing you had. If you said sure go look they might more than likely just tell you to roll on and have a nice day. Thats the way it was for use. never been searched. Interesting how a different part of the country and 20 years can make you want to change your view a bit. I will also say that oll fast talker is also someone you might have to hire to dig your butt out from under the system for bein an a** to some county sheriff. I still want to here from officers. as to there point of view. Oh I also put more than few local young and dumb police in there placescrew'n with them but Iwas also young and full of... I just got away with it.

 

paragraphs....

 

There does that make you feel better!!

 

not really
but carry on

 

No.

Hell No.

Absolutely not.

And if they insisted against my express wishes, and found nothing, I would be knocking on the Sherrif's/Chief's Office door within 30 minutes demanding an explanation for the officer's lack of understanding regarding our Constitution and Civil Liberties.

"Nothing to hide" goes hand-in-hand with "Nothing to find". So why should I roll over and be the nice complacent one wasting my time rather than the officer dong his job, writing the ticket and letting me be on my way?

There was a similar case somewhere out in the Midwest earlier this year (Kansas maybe?) where a Sherrif was directed to take a Constitutional Law course by a Judge after pulling some illegal searches along these lines.

 

If you don't want your vehicle searched just say "no" and be done with it. It isn't an invasion of your privacy if they ask and you deny consent. Also, you can't be held for a dog to arrive if you deny consent

 

I've had my car searched over a "blunt wrapper" (plastic fork wrapper from fast food). I was doing well over the speed limit and wanted to keep Mr. Officer as happy as possible for when he decided which speed to write down.

He ended up doing me the favor and cutting it down a bit. He also searched for about 30 seconds before giving up. Center console, under the driver's seat, and opened the glove box.

I'll gladly let them search if I think it'll cost me money to not. They will always have a seat belt and tint violation on me in addition to whatever else they pulled me over for. I might be young and dumb but I know 10 minutes of my time isn't worth $200.

 

Also, you can't be held for a dog to arrive if you deny consent

Let's pretend the cop says "Well, if you don't want the car searched, we'll just bring out the dog."

What's the correct response if we aren't required to wait for the dog to arrive?

 

Am I right in also saying you can give them permission and limit to say the trunk or such area??

 

If you haven't seen this, it is imperative that you take an hour and give it some attention.

Seen it...+1000:thumbup1:

 

Am I right in also saying you can give them permission and limit to say the trunk or such area??

No good could possibly come from it.

You should really watch these videos:

And read this document:
http://www.billofrights.org

 

I suggest some of you know the law before you go about taking any of the advice given here (above and what I list here)

Can you say no... yes you can

Can the LEO make you wait for a dog... yes they can (the situation dictates)

Can your car be searched before a citation/warning is issued... in most case's no

Can you tell an officer to stop / limit the search area... yes you can.

 

Let's pretend the cop says "Well, if you don't want the car searched, we'll just bring out the dog."

What's the correct response if we aren't required to wait for the dog to arrive?

"are you detaining me, or am I free to go?" to search, they have to have either a warrant, probable cause or your consent. they have to have probable cause to detain you. if they detain you simply for refusing to consent to a search, while they wait for a dog to come sniff your car, you are being unlawfully detained.

 

"are you detaining me, or am I free to go?" to search, they have to have either a warrant, probable cause or your consent. they have to have probable cause to detain you. if they detain you simply for refusing to consent to a search, while they wait for a dog to come sniff your car, you are being unlawfully detained.

That is also not something you fight with the officer on the scene. That would be a good way to be cuffed and arrested for resisting arrest. You comply and file a lawsuit and/or complaint with the appropriate authority later.

 

That is also not something you fight with the officer on the scene. That would be a good way to be cuffed and arrested for resisting arrest. You comply and file a lawsuit and/or complaint with the appropriate authority later.

Resisting arrest? Arrest for what, saying no? Got to be the dumbest cop in the world if he arrest someone for telling him no. I can see him telling that one to the magistrate and having to "un-arrest" you, apologize ,give you a ride back to your vehicle,and pray you dont sue him and the department.

 

Woman: Is there a problem, Officer?

Officer: Ma'am, you were speeding.

Woman: Oh, I see.

Officer: Can I see your license please?

Woman: I'd give it to you but I don't have one.

Officer: Don't have one?

Woman: Lost it 4 times for drunk driving.

Officer: I see...Can I see your vehicle registration papers please.

Woman: I can't do that.

Officer: Why not?

Woman: I stole this car.

Officer: Stole it?

Woman: Yes, and I killed and hacked up the owner.

Officer: You what?

Woman: His body parts are in plastic bags in the trunk if you want
to see.

The Officer looks at the woman, slowly backs away to his car, and
calls for back up. Within minutes 5 police cars circle the car. A senior
officer slowly approaches the car, clasping his half drawn gun.

Officer 2: Ma'am, could you step out of your vehicle please!

The woman steps out of her vehicle.

Woman: Is there a problem sir?

Officer 2: One of my officers told me that you have stolen this
car and murdered the owner.

Woman: Murdered the owner?

Officer 2: Yes, could you please open the trunk of your car,
please.

The woman opens the trunk, revealing nothing but an empty trunk.

Officer 2: Is this your car, ma'am?

Woman: Yes, here are the registration papers.

The first officer is stunned.

Officer 2: One of my officers claims that you do not have a driving
license.

The woman digs into her handbag and pulls out a clutch purse and
hands it to the officer. The officer snaps open the clutch purse and
examines the license. He looks quite puzzled.

Officer 2: Thank you ma'am, one of my officers told me you didn't
have a license, that you stole this car, and that you murdered and hacked
up the owner.

Woman: Betcha the lying creep told you I was speeding too