Having a conversation with police on the side of the road can sometimes be an intimidating experience, which is why you may feel more comfortable talking with them from the safety of your vehicle. But what happens if they ask you to step out of your vehicle? Can you refuse and simply request to stay in your car for the remainder of the interaction, or will police soon force you out of your vehicle? We explain if police can force you to exit your vehicle in today’s blog.
Can I Stay In My Vehicle?
If you’ve been asked to exit your vehicle by a police officer during a traffic stop, it is in your best interest to unbuckle your seat belt and slowly exit the vehicle. We understand that you may have issues with the stop or what police are accusing you of, but you should not take a stand from behind your driver’s seat. If there are glaring issues, you will easily be able to clear them up in court, but refusing to exit the vehicle can cause a number of other problems for your current situation.
When an individual refuses to comply with a request to exit the vehicle, a couple things usually occur. For starters, the officer will likely radio for back up and give you one last chance to make the right decision to exit the vehicle. If you still decide not to exit the vehicle, here’s where things will likely go from bad to worse. The cop will likely begin to physically force you out of the vehicle, which could include breaking the window if you have rolled that up and locked the doors. Not only will you be physically removed from the vehicle, but you will now face an additional charge of obstruction of justice. Odds are you’ll also be charged or cited for the initial reason you were pulled over, so you’ll have a mess on your hands.
If you are asked to step out of the vehicle, know that police are not asking if you’ll comply. They are directing and demanding that you do so. Failure to comply will only result in additional criminal charges and the possibility of physical injuries if you are forcibly removed from the vehicle.
Exit the vehicle when asked, but know that police are not on your side, and anything you tell them can and will be used against you in the court of law. Soon after the interaction ends, connect with a lawyer to ensure you know what steps to take next. We’ll be happy to walk you through the process, explain the next steps and go to work on your defense. For more information, or for help with a different criminal matter, reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
