Doubting The Legitimacy Of A Police Officer Could Lead To These Traffic Charges

Most people who want to stay on the right side of the law are quick to pull over when they see a police car's red and blue lights flashing behind them, but this isn't always the case. If you've read news reports in your area about criminals robbing motorists after masquerading as plainclothes officers, and the car behind you is an unmarked one, you might feel resistant about stopping and/or cooperating with the "officer" who approaches your vehicle. The problem is that if the person is indeed a legitimate police officer, you could end up facing a multitude of charges — all because of your uncertainty about the situation. If you've been charged in these ways, hire a traffic attorney.

Failing To Stop For A Police Officer

Failing to stop for a police officer is a serious traffic charge, but it's one that your traffic attorney may be able to successfully fight on your behalf. To do so, he or she will need to make a compelling argument that you doubted the legitimacy of the police officer behind you, and even if you're now aware that he or she was a real law enforcement professional, there were several issues that made you feel uneasy. For example, in the case of publicized news stories of robberies that began under the guise of a traffic stop, your attorney will bring up these issues and reference how they made you worry for your safety.

Obstruction

Obstruction is a broad charge that police officers can lay on motorists and other individuals. For example, obstruction may be a factor in your traffic stop case if the police officer asked for your identification but you refused to provide it because you didn't think that he or she was a real member of law enforcement. Refusing to cooperate in the roadside investigation in any number of other ways is also likely to result in a charge of obstruction.

Disturbing The Peace

In some instances, your doubt over the legitimacy of the police officer who has pulled you over could cause you to make outbursts to attract people to the scene. For example, before you pull over, you might repeatedly honk your horn in an effort to get attention that you hope will cause the officer — should he or she be an impostor — to leave you alone. Upon pulling over, you might have yelled at pedestrians in the area to call the police because you believe the officer with you might not be real. If you create a disturbance with such outbursts, a charge of disturbing the peace may be possible.

Work with a local traffic law attorney to help fight these charges if your actions were because you legitimately feared for your safety.

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