Traffic stop

[seniorjudge]

A retired cop friend here also said that the delay was likely due to a slow records search. He had never heard of it taking quite that long, but couldn't think of another reason.

Ah...the sweet smell of a right answer!


Q: Why do cops even ask how much drivers have been drinking if everyone lies?
A: Every once in awhile, one slips up and tells the truth. Also, when you say you have had "just three beers" and you test 0.08%, your lying immediately becomes apparent. (Not you you, they you.)

 

[CdwJava]

Thanks to all for your replies. A retired cop friend here also said that the delay was likely due to a slow records search. He had never heard of it taking quite that long, but couldn't think of another reason.

Also - it was nearly 90 minutes! I was pulled over at 11:34 and let go at 1:01!!

If I have to hold anyone over twenty minutes, it better be for something a little more substantial than a slow records search! That's outrageous!

If our records are anywhere near that slow, then the person is going to be cut loose. I would NEVER approve one of my officers detaining someone for that length of time without something more substantioal than a traffic infraction.

Why do cops even ask how much drivers have been drinking if everyone lies?

Because drunks can't keep their story straight. Two minutes later, when they are confronted with, "Sir, it appears to me that you have had more than two drinks," they usually start upping the number. Inconsistent stories can be an element in establishing probable cause. The more they talk, the more they help firm up that cause.

- Carl

 

[LawGirl10]

I used to engage in as much general conversation with them as I could. You would be amazed at how easily people will rat themselves out even without direct questioning.

 

[CdwJava]

I used to engage in as much general conversation with them as I could. You would be amazed at how easily people will rat themselves out even without direct questioning.

Yep.

Even better because they can't remember what they just told you! First it's two drinks ... then it's three ... then it's five ... then back to three. It can actually be quite amusing. And it plays great on audio tape (we don't have video in most the cars out here, but many of us carry pocket recorders).

- Carl

 

[LawGirl10]

Yep.

Even better because they can't remember what they just told you! First it's two drinks ... then it's three ... then it's five ... then back to three. It can actually be quite amusing. And it plays great on audio tape (we don't have video in most the cars out here, but many of us carry pocket recorders).

- Carl

I had video with audio so I always loved it when I had a really good one. I think my favorite was when I pulled a guy over for almost hitting me head on. I made the stop and he was obviously drunk so I asked the normal questions and then had him get out of the car for field sobriety tests. He failed all of those and I read him implied consent and asked him if he would take a chemical test. He said yes, but insisted that he was not going to (let's call it facility X) X and instead, insisted on going to Y to get the chemical test. The great thing about it was that neither facility X or Y was within 50 miles of where he was at, and he even lived in the very town where I stopped him. After his lawyer saw the tape, he pled.