Bucks County Traffic Stops
It is crucial that drivers understand their rights during Bucks County traffic stops. If you were pulled over for a traffic offense, contact a seasoned attorney as soon as possible to see what legal options you may have. A dedicated lawyer could give you the proper information and advice regarding traffic charges.
Traffic Stops Expectations
When an individual is pulled over by police for a traffic violation in Bucks County, they should expect their traffic violation appears within the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation violation manual. Police in Bucks County should make a stop of an alleged violation that is documented throughout the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
When a person is the subject of a motor vehicle stop for a traffic violation in Bucks County, they should comply with police commands and pull their vehicle over at the earliest possible and safest stopping point. The operator needs to sit still and await police arrival and further instructions. The police will instruct the individual to provide a license and other required paperwork, such as proof of insurance or registration. Once the initial check is made, an individual may request of the police officer the reason for the stop.
In most Bucks County traffic stops, police indicate the reason for the stop and have a conversation with the operator. The operator is not required to respond to police requests past the initial turning over of legal motor vehicle paperwork. Should the police officer request whether or not the operator knew they were driving in a reckless fashion or over the speed limit, the individual does not have to answer or could indicate they were not aware. In these cases, an attorney can challenge the probable cause for the police officer’s initial stop.
Being Pulled Over by an Unmarked Vehicle
When a driver is pulled over by an unmarked vehicle, a vehicle that does not have the insignia of the police on it but may have lights and sirens, and the officer is not uniform, the individual should stop the vehicle and dial 911 to confirm that the individual is a police officer making a valid stop. Upon the approach of the person from the unmarked vehicle, a driver should request their credentials, identification, and badge.
In most cases, police do not make a motor vehicle stop when they are an unmarked vehicle and not in uniform. In Bucks County, unmarked vehicles are used while the police are in uniform.
Biggest Mistakes to Avoid During a Traffic Stop
The biggest mistakes to avoid during Bucks County traffic stops are doing things that have not been requested by the police. Sometimes the operator of a motor vehicle takes it upon themselves to act in a particular way without being instructed to do so by the police. Operators should understand the police are doing their job whether or not the operator agrees with the reason for being pulled over, which is something that may be litigated and challenged at a later date. At the time of the motor vehicle stop, individuals operating a motor vehicle should act when directed by police to do so.
Some other mistakes operators face is operating a motor vehicle without their license, proof of insurance, and registration for the vehicle. Additionally, vehicles in Bucks County may be checked for compliance with proper admission standards. Operators should have the proof of such, which is required for registration purposes. While a sticker indicating the year compliance in Pennsylvania is no longer required, the officer can check it by running a person’s identification tag or license plate. Staying calm, complying with police orders, staying in the vehicle unless told to get out, and having access to all of the required paperwork, including license, registration, and proof of insurance, are helpful in avoiding any problems with police during a motor vehicle stop.