What you say and do in the first few minutes of a traffic stop can shape an entire criminal case. Knowing your rights before the lights come on helps you protect yourself without escalating the encounter.
You are required to provide your license, registration, and proof of insurance. You are generally not required to answer questions about where you have been or whether you have been drinking, and you can decline to answer politely.
You can refuse consent to a search of your vehicle. Officers may still search under certain exceptions, but your clear statement that you do not consent matters later in court.
Stay calm, keep your hands visible, and do not argue at the roadside — the place to challenge a stop is in court, not on the shoulder. If you are facing charges after a stop, call Walsh Law Firm at (573) 712-2909.