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Well,
It saturday night and my woman just loves watching COPS. It never falls they pull someone over then ask if they can search them. They always say go ahead. Cops find drugs then suspect says I didn't know it was there. Why are people stupid enough to consent to a warrentless search?
Loco
They are not stupid just uneducated
if you have weed in your car, and they suspect your under the influence, they can get a K9 out there in 5 minutes.
Like Josh said.. they are uneducated.. they dont know their rights.. and even if they do get the dogs out theyre, you still have a better chance of not being caught then just saying hell go on search my car... im so high
The problem with that strategy is that most officers (in the US at least) will already know that they can impound your vehicle on the suspicion of a DUI.
If they even think that they smell weed or alcohol on you, or in your vehicle, then they can impound your vehicle if you do not consent to a search. (In most states, if not all 50)
Smoking weed while driving is a DUI offense.
If you refuse the search, all they have to do is call you in as a potential DUI, and then you're screwed.
You're going to the shop for immediate blood and urine based alcohol and drug testing.
When that happens, if you have been smoking, than all I can say is good luck with getting your license back.
So when your vehicle goes down the the cop shop because you refused to allow a search... then you're really fucked.
Especially if they actually find something in your car.
If your vehicle is impounded, then don't expect it back in one piece either.
I know several people who had their cars impounded when they refused to give consent for a search. They got their cars back missing bolts in the front seats, and a nice big cut down the center of the back seat. Any and all damage done to your car by a police search will most likely be overlooked by 95% of all judges. The 5% are the people who had nothing in their vehicle in the first place.
If they want to find something in your car, they will find something. This includes vacuuming the carpet and charging you with the possession of some very small amount of dusty, oil stained weed dust from the last joint you rolled, or bowl you packed in your car. Thats all it takes.
Its a catch 22.
There is no way out if you get asked to consent for a search of your vehicle. You're better off letting them find whatever they will find on the side of the road, rather than in the cop shop. Unless of course you get lucky find a more lenient officer that will not insist on a vehicle search.
Sometimes they dont find anything when they're stuffed on frosted donuts, and they're climbing around your messy car searching around with just a flashlight. ;)
So all in all... let them search your car on the side of the road where they stopped you, chances are if they dont find anything right away, you will just get a ticket for whatever you were stopped for, and then they'll let you go.
From my experience, If they don't find anything when they quickly search you and your vehicle on the side of the road, you have about a 75% chance of getting out of the traffic ticket as well.
I had been pulled over several years ago and was busted for possession of a small amount of marijuana. Up until a couple years ago, that minor offense was still listed on my driving record. So every time I have been stopped while that was on my record, I was asked to consent to a search. This was up until a couple years ago when that offense had finally been cleared from my driving record.
They never found anything in my car ever again. Mainly because I left the back seat dirty and purposely leave some trash on the floor at times. I always kept my stash in the back seat of my car, covered with an old Mc'Donalds bag or something. All 4 times, I was sweating balls, because I thought for sure they would find it. 4 times my car was quickly searched... unsuccessfully.
After they would finish their search I would simply say to the officer...
"See ? Can I go now ?"
Most of the time they are rather embarrassed to have searched your car and come up emtpy handed, so maybe they will let whatever traffic violation you had slide by too. The one time I did still get a ticket, I was doing 20 mph over the limit. All the other times were for speeding at 10mph over the limit or less.
Be reasonable with them, and you may just get lucky. Even if they find something, since you cooperated with them, you have a much better chance at getting reduced sentencing if you are found guilty. Possibly even letting multiple charges slide for a conviction on some other offense.
At least you can ask the judge, and still have *some chance* at making it happen. If you didn't cooperate at all, and you were a dick about it, then dont even ask the judge, because you're fucked.
Give them a reason to screw you, and they will, and they'll do it with a smile on their faces too.
The best way to avoid this is to drive a vehicle that is a later model, free from modification like tinted windows, stickers, ect.
Keep all paper work, insurance and tags current.
Be sure that all lights, wipers, brakelights, exhaust and muffler, blinkers and other items are in proper working order.
Follow ALL traffic rules, don't tailgate, don't speed, use signals, ect .
NEVER drive after drinking even a slightly intoxicating amount of alcohol.
Wear your seatbelt.
No loud music.
If you are willing and able, cultivate a very unassuming and conservative appearance. The more you blend in and fit in, the less chance you will have of being singled out. Shorter hair, minimal piercings/ tattoos. Take off your hat while driving. That might sound crazy, but the hat and the person wearing it can attract attention from police.
If you must smoke while driving, Use an ashtray inside of your car. Don't toss out butts. Not only is it litter, but it can get you pulled over. It is preferable to not smoke at all while you are driving.
If you must carry contraband, use your best judgment and minimize your transport of such items to the least possible amount that will satisfy your reason for carrying it in the first place.
Also, I would say that a tidy car is less suspicious than a messy backseat. If you want something good to place on the backseat, try the bible or a mainstream news publication or something. keep your car not obsessive compulsive clean, but keep it tidy.
Other items that are good in subtlety : centrist/right leaning political slogans on stickers like republican campaign stickers, NRA, Army/Navy, US Flags, support the troops, ect. Most police are supporters of the republican party and also the military and consider themselves patriotic and these kinds of symbols cause empathy in police officers.
Keep your shit wrapped airtight and in the trunk somewhere. Don't be an idiot.