I'm really curious to those who really know, seems to me if this is a free country they shouldn't ask you that and it is none of their business. They should either give you a ticket or not but asking where you are going is out of line. Are you required to answer this question? Even if you have nothing to hide?
2006-11-27 09:59:58 · 19 answers · asked by stratsandlespauls 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Yes, they can ask you either question. No, you don't HAVE to answer the question. After all, as you said, it's a free country. That does not mean, however, that you don't have to deal with the consequences of your actions. Do you think the officer really cares what the specific answer to his question is? More than likely they are looking to see how you respond to the question. Do you get nervous or defensive? Do you appear to be lying? Or whatever else they are trained to look for. Your refusal to answer the question may be just the excuse they need to detain you long enough to determine that you are who you say you are and are not doing anything wrong.
2006-11-28 07:39:35 · answer #1 · answered by jesims76 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A police officer (or any citizen for that matter) can ask anyone questions. The person is free to leave or refuse to answer. Under Terry verse Ohio, if the police has a "reasonable suspicion" (less than "probale cause") that a crime has or is being committed, the police can detain the suspect.
Refusal to answer a question is a right, but could cause concern on the part of the police.
Keep in mind, a ticket is ONE option the police have. Many ticketable offenses can be resolved by an arrest - it is the officer's option.
Help the police do their job - protecting society!
2006-11-27 10:14:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
There is one thing you said in your remarks that should answer your own question. You said that this is a free country. We can ask you anything we want to ask during a traffic stop. Sometimes it's part of our investigation and other times we are just making conversation. Sometimes the conversation is really finding out what we want to know. If I ask you where you are going and you tell me one thing and your passenger tells me another, then we got problems. The bottom line is we are just doing our job. You don't have to answer, but if you refuse to answer you're just making things harder on yourself. My best advise to you is to be polite and cooperative with the officer. You'll see that this sometimes will even get you out of a ticket.
2006-11-27 12:11:47 · answer #3 · answered by gablueliner 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes people who are speeding are actually running away from something. Like, a crime they just committed...
Also, DUI's often have no idea how fast they are going.
It's the officer's way of checking you out, if you get really hinky and act nervous about where you have been, he is going to become even more interested in you.
A classic example is Timothy McVeigh. He was caught, because an officer stopped him for speeding.
Now, you have the right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You don't have to answer any questions.You are not required to tell the officer anything.
2006-11-27 10:30:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only thing you have to do is identify yourself. If a cop asked you a question, you do not have to answer. BUT, by not answering, he/she might think your trying to hide something and start looking for things to arrest you on. Your best bet would be to be polite and answer their questions. I know its none of their business, but they are just doing their job.
2006-11-27 10:52:13 · answer #5 · answered by LAWDOGG 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have to provide the required documents to the officer and identify yourself and that's it. You don't have to answer any other questions if you don't want to. However, not cooperating may get you an extra ticket for something that normally you would have gotten a warning for.
2006-11-27 10:10:56 · answer #6 · answered by joeanonymous 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They can ask that, as a way of finding out if you were at a bar, or at the site of a crime. You know that if you've been asked that, then something pretty bad went down with in the area you were stopped
2006-11-27 10:02:30 · answer #7 · answered by Judith O 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
They do have the right, because they might be looking for someone, or trying to identify a criminal in the area. Cops are trained to feel the population out, its just how they work.
2006-11-27 10:02:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
They can ask you what color underwear you have on, but you don't have to answer them.
Some do it, to get your chatting, others may want to know since something happened, or you are out of place in that general area. In Ga for example, you have to furnish them your ID and drivers license, and tell you your name and birthdate.
2006-11-27 15:13:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yup, they usually ask, from what I know, to see if you act strange or suspicious. So, I would definately answer the question with the truth so that you are not noticed for lying.
And, if you have a reason to lie, you should consider doing things that you won't have to lie about :) life is easier that way.
Ask me how I know :(
2006-11-27 10:03:17 · answer #10 · answered by HA! HA! HA! 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋