TRAFFIC STOP – GETTING PULLED OVER
This article was published in the September, 2004 States Most Wanted Newspaper.

HPD GUN TIP HOTLINE:  (860) 525-GUNS (4867)
HPD DRUG TIP HOTLINE: (860) 527-6300, extension 5297.

Lt. Jose Lopez, Commander, HPD Detection Division

Almost everyone has been quietly driving their cars when from behind an array of red and blue with headlights flashing capture your attention.  Your first hope is that it is a runaway Christmas tree, then with a loud burst of the siren you soon realize that it is a Police Cruiser.  Immediately you yield to the right in order to let the cruiser pass but the cruiser begins to yield with you and it is apparent that you are being pulled over.

For most individuals, this is the only Police contact they experience in their lives.  It is common to feel uncomfortable and afraid, but there are certain steps you can take to make this stop as safe as possible for you and the Police Officer.

First, pull your vehicle over to a location that is away from the traffic flow.  On a highway it can be the shoulder away from an entrance or exit of the highway.  In a city street it should be a parking lot or no parking/bus stop curb.

Next, turn on the interior light to your vehicle to illuminate as much of the inside of your vehicle as possible.  This will allow the Police Officer to look into your vehicle and see that a danger does not exist.  In the event that your windows are tinted, bring down all the windows.  As a matter of fact it is possible that you were pulled over because of the windows.  Make sure that your tinted windows are within the legal limits.

Then turn off your radio or DVD player so that you can hear and be heard when talking to the Police Officer. 

Turn off your vehicle.  This accomplishes two things: it reduces the noise from the vehicle, and also sends a message to the Police Officer that you are not attempting to run off.

Have your license, registration and insurance card readily available.  A good practice is to keep your license in the same location in your wallet or purse so that you will not have to search for it when asked.  You will be asked for these items. It is a good idea to have these documents ready when the officer arrives to your vehicle.

 The best location for your registration and insurance card is clipped to the visor or in a side compartment.  This will insure that you can produce the documents as quickly as possible without having to open the glove compartment or search throughout the interior of your car.  For your and the Officer’s safety it is best that you are not searching through your vehicle which can be perceived that you are searching for a weapon.  Too many Police Officers are killed during traffic stops like the one you find yourself in.

Wait for the Police Officer to walk up to your vehicle.  Which side of your vehicle the officer arrives at will be determined by the circumstance.  In some instances the Officer may use their public address system to instruct you to step out of the vehicle, but unless instructed, stay in the vehicle.

Interact with the Police Officer calmly; sometimes a polite and cooperative demeanor will have a positive impact on the officer.  Arguments and profanity are normally the foundation for a ticket.  This does not mean that you must agree with the Police Officer, only that the proper forum for contesting this ticket is the court system.  You will have the option to plead not guilty at a future date and time.

The officer may take your documents and return to his Police Car.  Even though you may be in a rush and the time spent waiting may seem longer then what it would reasonably take to write a ticket, the officer will be conducting computer checks regarding your driving privileges, vehicle registration and outstanding wants and warrants.  The speed of this process will depend largely on the volume of similar computer inquiries.

There are five possible outcomes after being pulled over for a moving violation:

1. Verbal Warning which means that you will not be fined for the offense but should be aware of the driving habits that caused you to be stopped.  In this event no further action is needed on your part outside of being aware of your driving habits and the need for correction.
2. Written Warning which means that you will receive a written ticket which documents that you were given a warning regarding a moving violation.  In this event no further action is needed on your part outside of being aware of your driving habits.  If the written warning is documenting defective equipment in the vehicle you are driving, within twenty days proof of the repairs must be submitted or if checked off, an inspection of the vehicle must be conducted at the Department of Motor Vehicles after the repair is completed.  Failure to respond in regards to defective equipment will result in suspension of the vehicle’s registration.
3. Infraction which indicates a moving violation and a fine.  A court date and location is provided in the event that you decide to plead guilty and pay the fine.  The back of the infraction explains your options and the proper process. Failure to respond to an infraction will result in the issuance of an arrest warrant.
4. Misdemeanor Summons and Complaint which documents the charges against you as an arrest and requires a court appearance.  This ticket acts as a promise to appear and failure to appear on the required court date will result in a re-arrest warrant.  
5. Custodial Arrest for criminal offenses committed.

In rare instances the motor vehicle stop may be the result of your vehicle matching a suspect vehicle after the commission of a crime.  In this instance the circumstances surrounding the time, place and direction of travel of the suspect vehicle will dictate whether you get stopped.  In these cases the officer will give you verbal direction as to the dismounting of the vehicle.  You may be subject to a search and handcuffed for your, and the officer’s safety while the investigation is being conducted.  This is an investigative detention.  If and when a determination is made that you or your vehicle was not involved in a crime, then you would be released.

As a passenger in a vehicle that has been stopped by the Police what you can do to assist the driver is to stay quiet with your hands where they can be easily seen by the Officer.  Do not speak or exit the vehicle unless directed by the Officer.  Your opinions, beliefs and witness account can wait until the court date.

Although no one looks forward to being stopped and potentially getting a ticket, following the mentioned steps will make the stop safer for you and the Police Officer, ensuring everyone’s safety.

Please Drive Safely.

Lieutenant Jose L. Lopez Sr.

Hartford Police Department

Commander/Detention Division
Click here to e-mail Lt. Lopez

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