Do You Know Your Rights If You Get Pulled Over for a Traffic Offense in Northeast Ohio?

A trusted and experienced criminal attorney advises on what to do in traffic stops in Medina, Strongsville and Northeast Ohio

When you are pulled over by the police, it is easy to feel intimidated and not know what to do. Whether you pay your ticket or fight it, every driver should know their rights.

Knowing your rights

You have the right to:

• Remain silent. If you wish to exercise that right, say so out loud.
• Refuse to consent to a search of your car.
• Calmly leave if you are not under arrest.
• Contact a lawyer, if you are arrested. Ask for one immediately.
• Exercise your constitutional rights regardless of your immigration or citizenship status.

What to do and not to do when you are stopped by the police and accused of a crime

The Law Office of David Craig Sheldon is a firm that knows traffic violations can be more than an inconvenience - a conviction can result in fines, loss of driving privileges and jail time. As your trusted criminal law attorney, David C. Sheldon offers practical advice on what to do and not to do if you get pulled over by the police.

Here’s what to do

Stop the car in a safe place as quickly as possible. Turn off the car, turn on the internal light, open the window part way (just enough for the officer to hear you) and place your hands on the wheel.

Only if asked, show your driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance.

If the police officer asks to look inside your car, you should always refuse to consent to the search. If the police believe your car contains evidence of a crime, your car can be searched without consent only if the officer has probable cause.

Both drivers and passengers have the right to remain silent and to calmly leave if you are not under arrest.

Here’s what not to do

• Talk to the police
• Think you are smarter than the police
• Perform field sobriety tests
• Wait to speak to an attorney
• Give them permission to search your car or home
• Provide urine or blood sample after refusal of a breath test (if prior conviction for OVI or DUI in last 20 years, refusal to consent to blood, breath or urine test results in additional jail time if convicted of the OVI offense)
• Give them evidence
• Destroy evidence

If you need our assistance, David C. Sheldon has a proven record of success building strong defenses and having charges reduced, dismissed or obtaining acquittals at trial.

Helping to determine if you have a case for your traffic violations in Medina, Cuyahoga County or Northeast Ohio

If you received a traffic ticket and want to fight it, call The Law Office of David Craig Sheldon at 330.723.8788 or contact the firm online to schedule your free initial consultation today.  On any DUI or OVI matter, we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.