Dealing with the Police

In most cases, you are not required to provide this information. However, if you lie about your name or address you may be charged with obstructing justice. You may ask if you are free to go, and if they say no, politely ask them to explain why.

You are required to provide your identification, name and address to the police. They can arrest you if you refuse.

You are required by law to produce these documents. If your documents are in the glove compartment or in a concealed area, tell the officer you are obtaining these papers before moving to produce them.

Yes, but do so politely by asking the officer why they stopped you and if you are free to go.

No, by law you must provide a breath sample and comply with roadside sobriety tests. You can be charged if you refuse.

• Police have no legal right to search your car in detail on a routine traffic stop
• Police may look in the windows of your car and may use a flashlight to do this if it is nighttime
• The police may search your car if they have reasonable grounds to believe that there are illegal drugs or alcohol
• The police may search your car if they have reasonable grounds to believe there is evidence relating to the commission of a crime in the car
• They must also have a reasonable belief that the evidence, drugs or alcohol would be removed or destroyed during the time it would take to obtain a search warrant.

Yes, you must provide a statement or you could be charged.

Always ask for a lawyer if you are detained. It is best to consult a lawyer before attending any interview with the police, even as a witness.

• You are placed under arrest
• You consent to the search
• You are in a vehicle where people are illegally consuming or transporting alcohol
• The police have a reasonable belief that you have a weapon used in the commission of a crime