MY GOAL IS PROTECTING YOUR RIGHTS. NOTABLE WINS:

"The vehicle lacked a proper license plate, which provided reasonable suspicion for the stop. After the stop, the trooper detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle, which provided probable cause for the search."

"[W]hen detaining a motorist for a traffic violation, an officer may delay the motorist for a time period sufficient to issue a ticket or a warning. This measure includes the period of time sufficient to run a computer check on the driver's license, registration, and vehicle plates." 

"A seizure justified only by a police-observed traffic violation, * * * become[s] unlawful if it is prolonged beyond the time reasonably required to complete th[e] mission of issuing a [warning] ticket for the violation. In determining if an officer completed these tasks within a reasonable length of time, the court must evaluate the duration of the stop in light of the totality of the circumstances and consider whether the officer diligently conducted the investigation." 

"If during the limited scope and duration of the initial stop an officer encounters additional specific and articulable facts that give rise to a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity beyond that which prompted the stop, the officer may continue to detain the defendant to investigate those new concerns." 

NEVER TALK TO COPS. THEIR JOB IS TO MAKE YOU CONFESS TO A CRIME & ARREST YOU. 

DURING A TRAFFIC (OR WALKING) STOP JUST GIVE YOUR NAME AND LICENSE,  DATE OF BIRTH, INSURANCE & REGISTRATION IF ASKED. 

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE READ YOUR RIGHTS (TO REMAIN SILENT, HAVE A LAWYER) UNTIL AND UNLESS YOU ARE ARRESTED. 

THE POLICE WILL TRY TO GET YOU TO INCRIMINATE YOURSELF PRIOR TO ARRESTING YOU:

*BY POLITELY ASKING YOU QUESTIONS (YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN DRINKING OR DOING DRUGS.)

*BY ASKING FOR YOUR CONSENT TO SEARCH YOUR CAR OR POCKETS (TO LOOK FOR A REASON TO ARREST YOU.)

*BY ASKING YOU TO TAKE A FIELD SOBRIETY TEST.

SAY NO TO ALL OF THE ABOVE

NEVER CONSENT TO A SEARCH OF YOUR CAR OR PERSON. SAME FOR PASSENGERS.

DO NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE IF A COP ONLY ASKS YOU, SUCH AS "WOULD YOU MIND STEPPING OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE?"

IF A COP ORDERS YOU OUT OF YOUR CAR FOR ANY REASON COMPLY WITH THE ORDER AND EXIT PEACEFULLY.  

IF YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY, START TO VIDEO RECORD THE ENCOUNTER IN A NON-INTRUSIVE AND NON-THREATENING MANNER. LET THE COP KNOW YOU ARE DOING SO. 

IF A COP ORDERS YOU TO PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN ASK WHY AS YOU ARE PUTTING IT DOWN ON THE DASH.

LEAVE IT RECORDING.

OFFICERS DO NOT LIKE TO BE RECORDED AND WILL OFTEN ORDER YOU OUT OF THE CAR AT THAT POINT.

IF ORDERED OUT OF THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO DESCRIBE WHAT THE POLICE OFFICER IS DOING WHILE COMPLYING WITH THE POLICE OFFICER'S ORDERS. 

DRUG DOGS ALWAYS JUMP. RECORD IT IF YOU CAN.

Know your Ohio rights ACLU