Disclaimer: DO NOT USE THIS POST AS LEGAL ADVICE. This is just a summary of information I've collected through personal experience and research. Please note that I am also from the United States, so if you live outside of the US, this may not be as useful to you.

Police, DEA, and other LEOs are NOT on your side. When they are questioning you, whether they are being friendly or not, they are trying to get information that can be used to arrest you with. THEY ARE NOT YOUR FRIENDS.

Dealing With a Routine Traffic Stop:

In order to avoid potential complications, I recommend doing your very best to not drive with weed in your car. If you absolutely must, then TRIPLE CHECK everything on your car. Your headlights, break lights, taillights, lights around the license plate, make sure your window tint, muffler, and any other modifications are within state regulations, and be extra careful when actually driving. Keep your bud in an smell-proof container if possible, and make sure it is OUT OF SIGHT.





Should you actually get stopped, there are few key things to remember:

Do not act nervous. Cops and other LEO can pick up on this.

Be respectful, to a point. Don't seem hostile or stand-offish, this will raise suspicion as well.

Do not make attempts to hide evidence. It's fairly clear to a cop approaching your car when you do.

DO NOT CONSENT TO SEARCHES. If the cop(s) seems wary or suspicious of you, or if you feel like a routine traffic stop is taking much longer than it should, follow these guidelines to protect your rights and prevent any unnecessary complications from arising.

Do not answer questions. This is how you screw yourself over.

If asked to step out of the car, roll up your windows and lock your car door behind you.

Continually ask the cop if you are being detained, and/or if you are free to leave. If they claim that you are being detained, or are not free to leave, ask something along the lines of, "On what grounds am I being detained?"

If cops begin to search your car, be sure to state (preferably on camera) that you do not consent to any search and/or seizure of any of your personal property.

If a cop pats you down to check for weapons, they are only allowed to pull objects that seem like weapons out of your pocket. This is more of a "getting off on a technicality," but it still might help you. If they pat you down, make sure you state that you only consent to the removal of objects that the officer feels could be a danger to themselves. A plastic bag shouldn't be counted as a "weapon," but they still may pull it out of your pocket A K-9 Unit is Called:

If you're unlucky enough to have a K-9 unit called, the most you can do is hope and pray that the search takes more than the amount of time a routine traffic stop takes, because this is yet another way to get off on a technicality in court, but it'll be a pain in the ass at the time that it happens. Unfortunately, you cannot refuse a K-9 search, and a dog alerting does constitute probable cause for a search.





However, as mentioned earlier, if you find that waiting on a K-9 unit to arrive prolongs your routine traffic stop, you can argue that this is a violation of your rights in court and you may be able to get off on all charges.

"Oh Shit, I'm Under Arrest" - Know Your Rights:

Typically, when being detained or arrested, an officer will read you your Miranda Rights, which are a set of basic rights that all citizens are guaranteed. Your Miranda Rights can vary from location to location. Usually, they go something like this:

You have the right to remain silent when questioned.

Anything you say or do can and will be used against you in a court of law.

You have the right to an attorney, before speaking to the police and you have the right to have an attorney present during questioning now or later.

If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning, if you wish.

If you decide to answer any questions now, without an attorney present, you will still have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to an attorney. First and foremost, make sure you are being detained, and be sure to have the arresting officer clarify on what grounds. Do not get flustered, upset, angry, or aggressive; this will only worsen your time being detained or arrested. If the police find any kind of substance on you, and are charging you with "possession of a controlled substance," DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. Once you're arrested, you can only do yourself more harm by answering questions.





My best advice to you is to lawyer up if you do end up detained. Do not help the cops find anything, do not answer any questions until your lawyer arrives, and do not give in to their threats.





The Snitch: Don't Be One

Oftentimes, LEOs will give you the option to snitch on your dealer, or supplier; I don't really want to get into the details of this, but please don't do that. If you fucked up, take the punishment, lawyer up, and learn from the situation; don't screw over other people because of your mistake.