Cops do a really hard job. They deal with people at their worst, and sometimes people they talk to are accused of doing terrible things. Whether it’s rape, murder, robbery, assault or child abuse, they see awful things, and get very little respect or gratitude from the public for the difficult and dangerous work that they do. It’s hard, and thankless, and they are often very stressed out.
But that can translate into very challenging interactions with the public, partly because the average cop often assumes that all the people they’re talking to are guilty. And many are, but not all, and police officers sometimes lose sight of that. Which can lead to misunderstandings and negative assumptions. So how can you avoid unnecessary interactions with police officers in Michigan that can sometimes lead to criminal charges?
Here are some things you can do to reduce your chances of having to interact with police officers:
One of the best ways to reduce your chances of having to interact with the cops is to not give them any reason to pull you over. So with that in mind, here’s our list of things you can do to minimize your interactions with the cops, by giving them no reason to notice you while you’re driving.
In your vehicle:
- If you do not have a currently valid driver’s license in your possession, or your license has been suspended, do not drive for any reason! Not even in an emergency.
- Obey all the traffic laws. Don’t speed, drive recklessly, fail to stop at stop signs and traffic lights, and don’t use your horn excessively. All of these things draw attention to you and can give an officer a reason to pull you over. Don’t tint your windows or blast your radio. Doing those things also calls attention to you.
- If you’ve had any alcohol to drive, we recommend letting someone else drive. You may not be over the legal limit, but why take the chance?
- If there is anything wrong with your car, like a burned out headlight, or a blinker that doesn’t work, get it taken care of as soon as possible. Don’t give the cops more reasons to pull you over.
- Do not eat, text, read, apply make-up, or do anything else while you’re driving. Pay attention to the road and don’t give officers reason to pull you over. Besides, distracted drivers cause crashes.
- Don’t park in front of closed businesses. Officers may approach your vehicle because they are concerned about suspicious behavior.
- Never park where you’re not supposed to be – private drives that you don’t have permission to be in, handicapped spots that you’re not permitted to park in, or public parks that are closed for the night. That only draws unnecessary attention to yourself.
- Don’t drive under the influence of any drugs including legally prescribed drugs. Even marijuana. Weed may be legal to consume recreationally for people over the age of 21, but you’re still not allowed to drive drugged in Michigan.
If you get pulled over and arrested, make the right choice!
Join us next time for the rest of the list of things you can do while driving, and even a few non-driving tips to minimize your chances of interacting with the police. Until then though, please remember that interactions with cops can go very badly, very quickly. People make mistakes, or misunderstand directions, and can end up in the back of a patrol car with a new pair of shiny bracelets before you can say jiminy cricket. And that’s where we come in.
At The Kronzek Firm, our hard working and tenacious criminal defense team has been handling legal issues for the people of Michigan for decades. Whether it’s Drunk Driving in Lansing, Drug Possession in Jackson, theft charges in Barry County or assault charges in Saginaw, we can help you. Reach our top rated criminal defense team 24/7 at 866 7NoJail (866-766-5245)