Pulled over by cop - Do you have to answer all their questions?

Question

I got pulled over and the officer asked me 'What I do for work' Why would that question be asked and what does it have to do with anything???

Answer 1

he's not just making conversation. he's asking because he's
trying to see if you are nervous or lying when you answer, could mean you are not gainfully employed and might be into illegal activity of some sort. i'm a former law enforcement officer and i
would ask questions like that and if they were married, had kids
etc. just to get some idea of who i was dealing with. the type of questions asked also depended on the age of the person and what i stopped them for. I stopped one person for a minor traffic
infraction once and asked him where he was headed to, he answered but was very nervous. i asked him if i could search his vehicle and he said no, i detained him and called the k-9 unit and the dog sniffed around his vehicle and got a hit on his trunk, we opened it and found 2 pounds of marijuana in a garbage bag. and it all started because i asked a simple question and got a nervous response. that's why police ask those simple questions, never know where it might lead.

Answer 2

He's probably just trying to get a feel for whether or not you are an honest person or someone that could be a drug dealer, car thief, murderer or rapist. Oddly enough, hardened criminals don't usually rely upon a respectable job for their income. The manner in which you answer, body language, etc. are very telling. You don't have a legal obligation to answer the questions but as a taxpayer, wouldn't you prefer that the police you pay to sniff out crooks were a little more aggressive than say Barney Fife? At least the guy wasn't sitting in a donut shop sucking down a bucket of coffee and F%&*ing the dog all shift. I assume because this was the end of your story you didn't wind up in jail or you're not a crime boss. Bottom line is if he didn't ask those kinds of questions on behalf of the public he serves he'd be labelled as a lazy cop. If he does ask those questions he gets labelled a pig...kind of a no win situation hey?

Answer 3

Hi, I don't expect to get best answer but I agree with almost everyone who gave you an answer.
Just answer the questions in a friendly way, but not a seductive way. Please be attentive and serious. They are definitely checking you out by your response to see if your speech is slurred. You did not mention what you were pulled over for, so that would depend a lot of what his/her questions would be.

For the most part, police officers are there to protect and serve. A lot of thieves and murderers have been detected by a simple thing like a broken tail light, etc. You also have another group, unfortunately, but always answer their questions.

Good luck.

Answer 4

He was probably asking where you work to see if you might be coming from work.....most cops are easy going on those just trying to get home compared to those heading out. They understand you get into a blank stare while going home and just want to get there. I myself have been left off a few times just cause I was going home. He was trying to give you a break there.

But past that, no. You don't have to answer a single question they ask you. But in turn, they can then search your car, handcuff you and take you to the station, impound your car and after all that, not charge you with anything. But now your time is wasted, you have to pay to get your car out of the pound, find a ride there, etc.

When in doubt, consult an attorney. Since driving...and if 18+, its always wise to have an attorney, just keep their card in your wallet/purse. Doesn't cost anything to have one, but its nice when you need one....then it costs.

Answer 5

It is always advisable to cooperate with the police, because some of these "badge heavy" cops are out there just to make life miserable to others for fun. The majority of cops are good, but you always have some these sleezeballs hiding under the guise of authority.

Answer 6

Never p!ss off a cop if you can help it.
He might ask lots of questions that ain't his business,but play along anyways.Things will go much easier if you're cooperative.
I know that chaps your @ss,but it's the way things work.I hate it too!
If you have absolutely nothing to hide (or to lose!) then by all means be an @sshole! He'll do one of two things....
He'll either f*ck with you until he has to let you go...
Or he'll decide that you're a waste of time,because no one with anything to hide (or worth arresting) would act like such an @sshole.
Either way....cops are a pain in the @ss.
Some of them are worthy of the honor that their job commands,but too many of them are just state-sanctioned bullies with guns.

Answer 7

Just making conversation, Did you get a ticket? Were you driving a work truck / Van? But to answer your question the 5th amendment says you don't have to answer anything that might incriminate you, but if he is asking you straight forward questions, name, do you have any drugs or guns in the car.. I might answer the questions, just to keep from having to step out of the car..

Answer 8

No, you do NOT have to answer questions about employment. He may have been trying to engage you in conversation to determine whether you were intoxicated, that is often the reason for light banter like that. But you are free to answer "I do not feel a need to answer that question," or "I do not have to answer that question." Just remember that answers like that will draw more suspicion, whether its fair or not. The only thing a police officer can require you to answer is a question as to your identity, and he can require you to produce documents proving your legal entitlement to drive a vehicle (license, registration, proof of insurance in some states.) Other than that, you can take advantage of your fifth amendment rights as much as you'd like.

Answer 9

My hubby was a cop, and I've found it's best to answer all the questions. Things work out a lot better that way.

Answer 10

It's their job to ask questions, to suss the bad guy from the good and to ensure everything is in order. Or perhaps he was trying to make a friendly conversation.
You don't HAVE to answers questions, but it would be a good idea to answer without hesitation to show you've got nothing to hide.