mister_monster on Nostr: That's not how it goes either. Have you ever been hassled by the police? I have, ...
That's not how it goes either. Have you ever been hassled by the police? I have, numerous times.
Generally, in my experience, just being pleasant and giving them the documents they request is all it takes. They can be a little skittish pretty often, because ofc they're cowards. But my general rule is, just be a normal person with them, give them the documents you're required to, answer questions without telling them your personal business, and refuse a search regardless of whether you have anything to hide. "I always exercise my right on principle, you have no reason to warrant a search, I'll be answering no more questions now" if asked why. That's basically it. If they're asking for a search it means they don't have any probable cause, anything they try to get you to say after that is to justify a search without your permission. If they search without either, nothing they find can be used against you in court.
I have a procedure when I get in my car. My wallet and whatever documentation are in plain view and separate from everything else. It's a part of what I do before I start moving, like putting on a seatbelt. Not in my pocket, not in a console or glove box, right out there so they can see what I'm reaching for and so that they don't get an opportunity to shine a flashlight in my private spaces in my car. I never travel with anything illegal that I have to worry about them spotting, but I don't want them to pretend they saw something as an excuse to rummage through my stuff. I've heard of them claiming a wire nut was a syringe cap and things like that. The less opportunity you give them to say they saw something suspicious the better. Being prepared before an encounter happens is better than invoking your rights while they're being violated or worse, giving it to them because you have a joint or whatever in your ashtray.
Generally, in my experience, just being pleasant and giving them the documents they request is all it takes. They can be a little skittish pretty often, because ofc they're cowards. But my general rule is, just be a normal person with them, give them the documents you're required to, answer questions without telling them your personal business, and refuse a search regardless of whether you have anything to hide. "I always exercise my right on principle, you have no reason to warrant a search, I'll be answering no more questions now" if asked why. That's basically it. If they're asking for a search it means they don't have any probable cause, anything they try to get you to say after that is to justify a search without your permission. If they search without either, nothing they find can be used against you in court.
I have a procedure when I get in my car. My wallet and whatever documentation are in plain view and separate from everything else. It's a part of what I do before I start moving, like putting on a seatbelt. Not in my pocket, not in a console or glove box, right out there so they can see what I'm reaching for and so that they don't get an opportunity to shine a flashlight in my private spaces in my car. I never travel with anything illegal that I have to worry about them spotting, but I don't want them to pretend they saw something as an excuse to rummage through my stuff. I've heard of them claiming a wire nut was a syringe cap and things like that. The less opportunity you give them to say they saw something suspicious the better. Being prepared before an encounter happens is better than invoking your rights while they're being violated or worse, giving it to them because you have a joint or whatever in your ashtray.