Long Island Criminal Defense

How to Properly Handle a Police Detention

The Long Island criminal defense law firm of Kenneth S. Feraru understands getting pulled over by the police can make you nervous; however, remembering a few simple rules will make the exchange a lot less stressful and may even help you if you are in fact arrested.

If you see a police car behind you with emergency lights flashing and siren blasting:

• Don’t speed away
• Don’t keep driving assuming the officer is not interested in you
• Don’t pull over to the right hand side of the road without using your turn signal
• Don’t leave the engine running – the officer will be on alert for a quick getaway
• Don’t anxiously move about your car – the officer may think you are trying to hide something
• Don’t search for your wallet or registration papers until he asks for them – the officer may think you are reaching for a weapon
• Don’t attempt to get out of your car unless asked
• Don’t speak first – especially asking questions such as “Is there a problem?”
• Don’t allow the silence of the police officer, who is analyzing the situation and deciding on appropriate and lawful action, scare you into confessing to a violation or negligence of any kind
• Don’t give long and absolute answers
• Don’t argue with whatever the police officer claims you were doing
• Above all, don’t forget that silence is not a way of admitting you are guilty

Long Island Criminal Law

Staying calm during an interaction with a police officer is always the best course of action. Keep in mind that law enforcement officers are trained to expect the worst possible outcome even from what appears to be a routine stop. Don’t make a seemingly harmless exchange with a police officer blow up in a major event. You may end up in more trouble. If you need to discuss the details of your Long Island criminal defense case with a trained attorney, the law firm of Kenneth S. Feraru welcomes the opportunity to assist you.

Please call today for your initial consultation to discuss your Long Island criminal defense case at (516) 535-3333 24/7, or contact us via our quick contact web form.