Most people get nervous or fidgety around the law. Even violent. The way cops think is that, if you act nervous, its because you must have something to be nervous about.

Keep your cool, do as told, and dont do anything that may put the guy on alert.

They will appreciate that.

Protip #8: ONLY give what you are asked for. I was asked to see my license and registration. I handed the officer my license, registration, AND insurance. Dumb move. Turns out I had lost the insurance bill before it was ever opened and I didn’t know to pay it. I got a letter almost a month later saying that if I didn’t pay it, they’d cut off my insurance in 2 weeks. I got pulled over that night. The cop saw the insurance had expired and couldn’t find any other records that my car was insured that night. It’s possible she would’ve caught this anyways, but it sure didn’t help my case handing her an expired insurance card.

Protip #9: If you definitely know you’re done for, pull over before you get lit up. I had a friend who came speeding up a hill and noticed a cop there a little too late. He knew he was going to get pulled over so he did just after the top of the hill. Well when the cop came over the hill, booking it to catch up with him, the cop had to slam on his brakes because my friend was already pulled over. In the end he was grateful that he didn’t have to chase after him and my friend was let off with a warning. This tip may seem like it is admitting guilt, but he was the only one on that road and the cop starting moving after he passed. The worst that could happen other than getting the ticket is the cop just drives right past you or after someone else but feel free to use your discretion here.

Protip #10: If you get it, fight it. There no chance you are going to be found not guilty if you don’t do anything. Learn a little about the local law in your area, read “Beat Your Ticket: Go to Court and Win” by David Brown, and find yourself a loophole. Chances vary whether or not the cop even shows up but you might even have a case whether or not he/she does.

My first ticket ever I couldn’t pull over any extra (although I would have because I too realize cops don’t want to stand dangerously close to traffic) but there was a curb. I had my window down as soon as I saw her get out of her car (it was winter), I did have the interior lights on, and hands on the steering wheel. I think I had time to get my paperwork out before she came over to the vehicle but next time I will wait. She came over, asked for my paperwork and went back to her car, no questions asked. She came back and told me it’s illegal to make a left on red (I had no clue this happened and planned to fight it as a “mistake of fact” because of the way the lights were lined up with the lanes) and that my insurance was out of date and issued me a ticket for both and told me to plead not guilty for the insurance, get it taken care of, and send it in. Although if you don’t get it taken care of and they catch you again in NY, it’s big consequences the second time around. I like to think if my insurance was fine, my clean record would’ve helped me out.

In the end, I took the ticket to court looking sharply dressed (can never hurt) and had a case to back up my appearance with questions ready to be asked. The cop didn’t show up. I had to appear a second time. I showed up a second time. I got called out of the room in the middle of a hearing and they brought me to another hearing room, stamped a few pieces of paper and said I was all set. Cop didn’t show twice and I was happy as a schoolgirl. Like I said, can’t expect anything to happen in your favor if you don’t do anything about it.

Also for those in Australia there are little ribbons you can buy that support the families of police who have been killed in the line of duty – tie one around the aerial of your car. That $2 can save you a lot more in fines. There may be something similar in your area that signifies to police that you are down with their cause.

haha He also said to mention to the cop that your dad’s a retired state trooper, so I guess that helps, as well.