Why do cops ask where you are going?
When a police officer asks where you are coming from, they are looking for evidence to support the possibility that you have or are committing a crime or whether or not you are a threat to public safety. This creates a baseline that they will later write down in a police report.
And they know most people don't know this. Your officer may ask, “Where are you coming from?” It seems like an innocent enough question that can't get you into trouble, but again, tell them you're choosing to remain silent on that question.
You have the right to remain silent. For example, you do not have to answer any questions about where you are going, where you are traveling from, what you are doing, or where you live.
Officers ask this to see if you will confess to the traffic violation. It shows you were aware of your driving actions if you admit to the violation.
You are visited or contacted by the police – The most common way to tell if the police are investigating you is if they confront you personally. You may find police showing up at your home, place of work, or reaching out to you by phone to ask questions about a criminal case.
Technically, yes. You have a first amendment right to free speech and free expression. That means you can tell a cop exactly what's on your mind and, provided you do it in a civil manner and do not cause a public disturbance, it should be a protected form of expression.
You can say, “I do not want to talk to you” and walk away calmly. Or, if you do not feel comfortable doing that, you can ask if you are free to go. If the answer is yes, you can consider just walking away. Do not run from the officer.
Here are a few possible ways to respond: State your place of birth or hometown: For example, "I'm from Los Angeles," or "I was born in New York."
If they continue to ask questions, you still have the right to remain silent. If you do not have a lawyer, you may still tell the officer you want to speak to one before answering questions. If you do have a lawyer, keep his or her business card with you. Show it to the officer, and ask to call your lawyer.
The code 10-20 means “What's your location?” and the latter code means “OK.” These police codes, most often beginning with 10 and followed by another number, are a common discreet form of communication within law enforcement offices.
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