There’s a saying that sometimes you shouldn’t say things in certain situations, and this one holds true. When you’re interacting with anyone, there are things you need to keep to yourself. With that in mind, we’ve provided a list of 15 things you should never say to law enforcement to keep you from making these mistakes.
I’ve Only Had Three Beers
Firstly, you should know better than to drink and drive in the first place. But if you tell the police you’ve only had three beers, they’re going to assume you’re lying. The police are trained to determine if you’re lying, so you might as well tell the truth. They’re going to field test you anyway.
I Know The Chief
That’s great for you, but it won’t do any good. Legally, the police can’t do anything to get you off the hook or pull in special favors. It’s not like TV, where if your dad is a cop, you can do whatever you want. In the real world, there are consequences.
I Pay Your Salary
Yeah, they’ve all heard this, and if they’re worth their salt, they won’t reply. It doesn’t matter if you pay their taxes; it’s not going to stop you from getting arrested. Just because you pay the taxes doesn’t mean you own them; you don’t. Be respectful and it will go better.
Do You Know Who I Am
No, they don’t, and more importantly, they don’t care. It doesn’t matter who you are; no one is above the law. It didn’t work for celebrities; it’s not going to work for you. People scream this at police all the time, and it never works. Many of them wind up getting arrested.
Why Did You Pull Me Over
This one is not great, especially if it’s a traffic stop. You should wait for the officer to lead the interaction, not do it yourself. While you may think it’s innocent and no harm will come from it, it can be seen as aggressive. Set a positive tone and wait for them to address you.
Frisk Me
If a police officer has reason to search you, they can pat you down. However, if you end up in court, you can challenge the validity of the search. If you’re proven right, they may exclude any evidence obtained. If you challenge them and they allow it, you’re effectively consenting—even if you’re being sarcastic.
I Know My Rights
That’s good, you should. The cops know them too and are constantly having to tell them to rapists, murderers, and other offenders. They’re also reminded daily by the media and the news. That means they know what they’re doing, and in most cases, police aren’t trying to do anything illegal.
My Best Friend’s Mother’s Sister Is An Attorney
This doesn’t work either, and if you think it will help in any way, remember that if something goes wrong, everyone gets treated the same under the law. If you genuinely want to call your attorney when you’ve gotten into trouble, do so—but know that the police aren’t going to care either way.
I Didn’t Hit Her
If you tell a police officer that you didn’t hit the woman—who now has a black eye, is crying, and you’ve got bruised knuckles—they’re not going to believe you when you say you didn’t do it. Especially if you did. Tell the truth about what happened; it saves time.
I Don’t Think So
If a police officer asks you if there are drugs in your car, if you’ve been drinking, etc., and you say you don’t think so, that’s a suspicious statement because you’re not sure. As a result, their hackles may rise, and they’ll wonder what you’re lying about besides what they’ve already asked.
I’m Sorry I Did Something
When you apologize for anything to the police, that’s an admission, and whatever they pulled you over for, they can now punish you for it because you said you did it. It’s important to pay attention to conversations. Should you admit when you’ve done something wrong? Absolutely. But you should also let them say their piece.
Never Make Threats
Threatening a police officer can have immediate consequences, and if there is an investigation, it could be damaging for you. You’d be surprised how many people get fined or end up with jail time for doing things like this. Instead of threatening and causing problems for yourself, just be quiet.
Request A Lawyer
When you request a lawyer, you can do so at any time, and you need to be clear. Say directly that you want a lawyer, and the police will stop questioning you until you get one. You should do this right away. The lawyer will help advise you on your rights and assist with your defense.
Don’t Make Jokes
When you get pulled over or have the cops come to your home, it’s not the time to be funny. This isn’t the time to bust out your best donut joke. Instead, you should focus on being respectful. Not to mention, they’ve heard all the jokes before, so you’re just wasting time.
Search It
Under the Fourth Amendment, no one can conduct an unreasonable search. That extends to many areas. However, if you tell them to search your property, they can do it. For searches of property, they need a warrant. If you consent to the search, they don’t need one, and you can’t challenge its validity.
Be Careful
Don’t confess to something you didn’t do, and remember, most cops are good and they want to help you. Be respectful and kind, and the process will go by a lot quicker. It’s not worth the hassle to exacerbate the situation and make it worse because you feel a certain way.
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