How to handle being stopped by police while traveling in the United States. The first and most important thing to keep in mind is to always be polite and never raise your voice to the officer. The police deal with a lot of different types of people over a days time and you have no idea how their day has been prior to your stop. Keep that in mind and show them the same respect that you ask others show to you.
Walking or Backpacking
“Stop and identify” statutes are statute laws in the United States that authorize police[1] to legally obtain the identification of someone whom they reasonably suspect has committed a crime. States (colored red) in which Stop and Identify statutes are in effect as of February 20th, 2013. Stop and identify States
Driving
- What to do when pulled over by police
- Nine things to avoid so you won’t get pulled over by police
- Police Shake Downs aka Road Side Seizures – Unfortunately there are many police precincts that fund their departments by shaking down, accusing people with large sums of money in their car or on their person, that the cash is drug related and must be confiscated. This happens in many states but is specially true in southern states. Primarily stops occur on interstate highways located near small town police department.
Know your rights
http://www.online-paralegal-programs.com/legal-rights/
Sleeping in your car
Due to great amount of people living and traveling in their cars many US cities have banned the practice of sleeping in your car. So be aware of this while traveling in the United States. If the police happen to knock on your window and ask that you move,don’t argue, just move along. There are plenty of places to park and sleep.
The information contained herein is for informational purposes only as a service to the public, and is not legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel.
On a lighter note, Dancing in your car.
