Q: traffic stops

There are 2 DVDs I know of dealing with advice on protecting oneself. One, is called "Busted:Know Your Rights", (promoted by NORML) and the other is "Never get busted..." produced by a decorated ex-Texas traffic patrolman who "splills the beans" about the methods of State patrolman, K-9, etc. blah blah (worth seeing).
MyQUESTION:
In "Busted", it's implied not to surrender rights by allowing a search-- that way anything found stands a good chance of being thrown out from illegal search...
In "Never Get" the ex-cop says that's an automatic red flag and that in conjunction with a few other suspicious signs (like stammering speech/nervous behavior) it can add up to probable cause. He states "we're gonna search the car regardless" but more vigorously if you refuse a search.

WHICH ONE IS THE BETTER DECISION?

 

I would say allow the search, if a cop wants to search your car s/he will get their way in the end so just allow it before they bring the K-9 units and then you'll really be screwed. Here in TX anything <2oz is usally a ticket and most will just give you a ticket if you're cool, but I've seen people go to jail over a joint/roach just because they didn't cooperate. Just do as they ask everything should be cool. My 2 cents!

 

Ya you should let em search, because if you refuse a search then they can call a k-9 unit in to sniff around your car, and if the dog smells anything that gives em probable cause. if they want into your car theyre gonna get in

 

NEVER consent to a search unless you've got absolutely nothing illegal on you. (... that way the whole process will go by much faster).

 

It all depends on where you are, who is searching you and what you have. If you have weight it is essential to the dispositions of the cops your dealing with. For example say you are in Boston and have a 5 block, well wraped and reasonably well concealed. If stoped by a regular BPD on a city street for not yealding at a crosswalk or something like that? let them search it proboly just routine and they won't look hard chances are you'll get away free. Say it's the anti-crime unit, Refuse the search because you are fucked at that point, they will find an excuse to search the car either way and they will do a thruogh job, so all you can do is help out your case for later. Diffrent situations demand diffrent reactions.

 

You can refuse a search after a traffic violation. It's usually not a big deal. You just want to go home, right?

But if you're in one of those "Drug Trafficking Areas" the only reason you're getting pulled over is so they can search your car...

 

never consent to a search, they can not search your vehicle without probable cause or a warrant and they my threaten you or say their going to bring in the dogs, but most of the time thats just scare tatics.

 

Don't listen to these fucking idiots on here, never consent, are you a fucking idiot? Why would you even risk yourself a little bit in letting a cop search your car. Always say NO!

Whoever is posting Texas laws, yeah but in any other state the laws are totally different. Get busted with 2 o's in your car in Nc and you're ass is going to be locked up. Never give em permission, you have your fucking rights to not be searched jesus chrsit. Just because you say no doesn't mean you have anything illegal in your car.

 

Dude a cop if he really wants to will get in your car one way or another, and saying no to a search will make them want to search it even more. You know they aren't gonna do a half-assed search if you dont cooperate. I much rather a cop search my car than a dog and most states if it comes to them having to bring a K-9 unit to your car because you wont cooperate you'll usually have more charges if the dog finds something.

 

Declining a search isn't considered not cooperating. You just aren't doing there fucking job for them. Let them bring in the k-9 unit, i'd let that happen before i give a pig permission to search my car. If they search your car without permission the evidence they find can be thrown out of court.

 

That wont matter in court, it's your word against the cop (or the statement he will write).

 

First off, K-9 is nothing to worry about. Just drive away after he calls them. Their are three states you can be in. Arrested, detained, or free to go. Just ask the cop if you are being arrested or detained. If he says no, just leave.

Only allow a search if their is no way he will find the bud. If it will be found easily, don't let them search.

The best policy is to have the weed someplace hidden on your person. A cop has never asked me to take off my shoes in a routine traffic stop. So, if you have it in your shoes, let them search. If you are really paranoid, keep it crotched, or in your boxers.

 

From what Ive heard if a cop is asking to search your car he doesnt have consent. Refusing to let them search is not an incriminating thing, you are simply not wanting your privacy invaded. Also if the officer has you step out of the car make sure your windows are rolled up and the doors are locked. It will make it so he cant get an easy look/sniff inside. Also it makes it harder for the dogs to smell anything. A dogs nose is good but not THAT good.

PS Be very careful when you are answering an officers questions sometimes they trick you into giving consent of a search without you even realizing it. For example if they say "Have you been smoking marijuana, and you dont mind if I have a look in your car do you?" Your most likely answer will be no. But you should say No I havent been smoking marijuana and I dont give you consent yo search my vehicle. I saw this in a short movie on Youtube a while back and the person speaking was the former head of the ACLU or something along those lines. Actually heres the link to the video so you can make your own assumptions. http://youtube.com/watch?v=yqMjMPlXzdA

 

Know the cops in your area and how badass they are. I've had people tell me they refused a search and nothing happened, and I've also been told of cases where they dragged the guy out of the car, kicked his ass and then searched without his permission; all of which the cops denied in court.

Whether you consent or not, if you get pulled over, stuff your stash in you underwear. Cops won't search there.

 

I have spoken with a state cop about such matters, he said that it is frowned upon in court to have searched without a warrant but the main rule is to have 5 points of reasonable cause to search without a warrant only then will the court accept it as no violation of right. but recently I was pulled over and consented to search they found wee, my sherlock, roller, and papers and took them all but let me off without any record or ticket so, I was fairly happy.

 

The cops will look for as much probable cause or as many suspicious items as possible as searching. Atleast here in Texas, If they hand you your a ticket or write you a warning or even say they are letting you off, You are free to go. Don't hang around.

I would agree to the search. If you're not an idiot, your pot is hidden well. They will find some way to search your car. Even if it means commanding the dog to false alert. The difference is if you agree the search the search is typically less thorough. Yes the do use a lot of scare tactics but keep your cool. If you decline the search. Not only does the k9 unit show up, but several other cops show up as well.

 

you have to be an idiot to believe that declining a search is going to save you. the only way that defense works is if you had credible witnesses stating that the cop violated your rights, and even then the judges tend to side with cops. most likely the cop is going to search you anyway and then claim that you gave consent. the best way to avoid getting caught is to either: never carry more than your going to smoke at the time and preferably not more than you can eat in a hurry, or hide your stash well and give consent because the search will be lax if you cooperate. if you have nothing on you and a cop asks to search, refuse. it will really piss him off.

 

A wise man once told me to never drive with more weed I could eat.

 

I got pulled over some months ago and the cops asked to search my car, told them no so they threatened to call the dogs. I had about an 1/8th of weed on me. They went back to their patrol car (with my ID) and sat for 20 minutes. During this time I slowly got my weed out and ate it all. Then one of the cops came back and gave me my ID and told me to have a good night.

 

I kinda wanna drive around suspiciously in my car with nothing illegal in it. I want to get pulled over and refuse searches and see what happens. Kinda like a practice run, also I want to figure out a way to rig up my video camera in my car to record the incident.