Law Enforcement

What should you do during a law enforcement stop?

During a law enforcement stop turn on your right turn signal to acknowledge that you see the officer, switch lanes (if necessary) until you can move completely onto the right shoulder, turn off your radio, turn off your vehicle, roll down your window before the officer approaches, make sure your hands are unobstructed, remain inside your vehicle unless instructed to do otherwise, and provide your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration.

What are your rights during a law enforcement stop (reasoning)?

Officers are required to state the reason for a stop before they begin questioning related to a criminal investigation/traffic violation (exception: if the officer believes withholding the reason will protect life/property from immediate threat). The reason for the stop must be documented on the citation/police report. If the officer asks permission to do something, you can refuse (but if they physically do it anyway, you can’t interfere). If the officer requests the passengers’ names/identification, they can say no, but if the officer insists, they must oblige.

What are your rights during a law enforcement stop (in or out)?

Officers can ask you and your passengers to be in or out of the car for any reason. In California, only federal law enforcement can ask about your/your passengers’ immigration status. Generally, the 1st amendment lets drivers + passengers record interactions with law enforcement in public spaces (if it doesn’t interfere with their job + you’re not on parole). You have the right to refuse to give an officer your phone or unlock it, and they don’t have the right to confiscate it/delete the recording/destroy the device in public (if it isn’t interfering with their job).

What are your rights during a law enforcement stop (employee)?

No government employee of any kind can retaliate against you purely for recording a public interaction. If an officer does something to interfere with your rights, you can vocally (but not physically) object. All citizens have the right to file a complaint against a law enforcement agency (and the agency must investigate, and the officer in question can’t retaliate against you just for filing a complaint).