Getting pulled over by a police officer can make you feel like a deer in headlights. But remaining calm and observant might be able to help your case. There are a few key mistakes to watch out for that could help get your ticket dismissed. 

Three police mistakes to watch for during traffic stops 

First of all, I’m not a lawyer, so don’t come to me for legal advice. But as a car enthusiast, I have talked myself out of quite a few traffic violations. 

For the OEMs that give me press cars, I’m obviously referring to when I drove my parents’ trucks as a teen. Anyway, there are a few police mistakes that may help you get off the hook during violations. 

1. Detaining you for too long 

Due to feeling nervous and having other drivers gawk at you as you sit pulled over on the side of the road, traffic stops can feel incredibly long. However, keep an eye on the clock. 

Unless there is a valid reason to hold you, officers can only detain you for the amount of time it takes to write a ticket. According to EPLAW, an officer may call a K9 officer to the scene to take advantage of extra time to further question you. 

But if there isn’t a just cause to prolong the stop, the detention could be considered unreasonable. It takes between five and 15 minutes to write a ticket. 

2. Illegal vehicle searches 

A police officer shouldn’t search your car without a warrant. But they can search your vehicle with permission, if they see visible contraband sitting in the open or if they have probable cause. 

Otherwise, they are not legally allowed to search your vehicle without just cause. That would be taking advantage of their power while putting you under undue suspicion and violating your rights. 

3. Making an illegal stop 

When an officer asks if you know why they pulled you over, they might be trying to see if you admit a mistake to take advantage of. Officers can’t just stop any car for no reason, just because they want to. 

Cops need a sufficient reason to turn on their lights and pull you over. They must have reasonable suspicion to make a stop, and they should be able to communicate the suspicion in a way you understand. 

You might be able to demonstrate that you weren’t violating any traffic laws to try to have the stop dismissed as unwarranted.