Five Rights You Have When You Get a Traffic Ticket

 Posted on February 23, 2016 in Traffic Offenses

While you may think you have a pretty good handle on the rules of the road, do you know what your rights are when you are pulled over and given a traffic citation?

Not many people actually know what their rights are when they are pulled over. Therefore, it is important that you understand the rights you have when law enforcement pulls you over to issue you a citation for a traffic violation.

1. You Can Wait to Stop at a Safe Location. Where you are being pulled over might not be a terribly safe place to stop. It might be dark, there might be no lighting, or there may be no shoulder for you to pull over into. You can continue to travel a reasonable distance before stopping at a safe place, but you should indicate to the officer who is pulling you over of your intention. This could be done by slowing down, turning on your blinker to indicate that you are pulling over, and then informing the officer of why you did notpull over sooner once you do finally stop and the officer approaches the vehicle.
2. You Do NotHave to Answer Questions. You may decline to answer questions asked by the officer that pulled you over. Be polite, but know that you do not have to answer. Officers try to get more information out of you than they really need, and this can lead to additional tickets if you are not careful. This also applies to when the officer asks if you know why you are being pulled over. You have no obligation to incriminate yourself. Even if you were speeding, you do not have to say so.
3. You Can Ask Questions. You have the right to ask why you have been pulled over. Most law enforcement officers will inform you of what their probable cause was for pulling you over as soon as they approach your vehicle. However, if they do not come right out and say why they pulled you over, you may ask.
4. You Can Ask to Speak With Your Lawyer. If the situation goes beyond the standard ticket issuance, and the police want to search your car or something similar, you have the right to request that you speak to your lawyer. You may then answer questions that the officer has in light of your lawyer’s advice. You also do not have to consent to a search of your vehicle without a warrant.
5. You Have the Right to Refuse a Breathalyzer Test. While there are consequences under the law for refusing a breathalyzer test, such as the automatic suspension of your driver’s license, you are well within your rights to refuse to submit to one at the officer’s request.

Contact Us for Professional Representation

Traffic tickets are a serious matter, and an experienced traffic violation lawyer can help you defend against your traffic citation. Please do not hesitate to contact a Rolling Meadows traffic offenses attorney immediately. Let our attorneys provide you with exceptional representation in your case.

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=1815&ChapterID=49&SeqStart=81900000&SeqEnd=84800000