Lawyer shares question you should 'never answer in a million years' if you're pulled over by police
Lawyer shares question you should 'never answer in a million years' if you're pulled over by police
A lawyer has revealed the question you should 'never answer in a million years' if police pull you over - and it sounds innocent enough.
The man - who goes by @tiktokstreetlawyer on TikTok - shares English law and legal info for UK citizens to protect themselves and know their rights.
He begins the now-viral video by saying: "Here's a question you should never answer in a million years without knowing the suspected offence you are accused of."
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But it's not about whether you've been drinking or what you've got stashed in your boot.
It seems far more friendly than that.
He continues: "It's the one where you get stopped by police in your car and the officer asks you: 'Do you know why I pulled you over?'"
It seems innocent enough but this lawyer wants you to think twice about guessing the correct response 'unless you are a Jedi mind reader'.
While it might be your impulse to answer with the last little infraction you know you made - maybe you forgot your indicator a few minutes ago ahead of a turn into a quiet street - the correct answer is not to answer at all.
The lawyer continues: "You don't know exactly what's going through the officer's mind, right?
"So why are you talking without information from the officer?"
If you're thinking that they 'just want you to recognise the thing that you did wrong' then think again.
He adds: "Wait a second and hear me out.
"The problem with this classic police stop opening question is - it can be a trick question."
So why would a police officer be asking it?
According to the lawyer, it's designed 'catch drivers off guard before they realise they are not legally required to answer this question'.
He explains: "Imagine it's not a trick question and without knowing the offence you were accused of you answer: 'Because I ran a red light. Because I was speeding. Because I was eating a kebab. Because I am the Muffin Man'.
"You've just admitted to four criminal offences when the officer was only thinking and maybe only had evidence about one offence - assuming they had any offence in mind in the first place."
Based on your 'speculation' of what they're thinking of - they're now 'confessions'.
The problem, he explains, is: "They can be used against you in a court of law."
The lawyer's advice is to keep your reply simple: "Officer, please tell me."
Armed with that information you 'are now in a better position to talk or not to talk - that's your choice'.
He concludes: "Admitting to a minor road traffic violation might avoid court altogether and you might get some safety advice too.
"Answering police questions based on ignorance and speculation increases the risk of you going to court and you having to plead guilty to being the Muffin Man."
Many have taken to the comments to share their thoughts on the lawyer's advice.
One viewer wrote: "I would start panicking and admitting to things I haven't even done."
Another added: "I know nothing, always."
While third stated: "If you don't know I'm not going to tell you."
And a fourth quipped: "Because I am the Muffin Man."
Amelia Jones