when i saw their lights i got nervous cuz i have no RI gun permit, so i pulled the gun out from my jacket pocket and put it under my seat.
Why? you should have kept it in your direct possession, your direct control. IANAL, but proper way to transport firearms changes when the gun is not in your direct possession, i.e. on you. You could have inadvertently violated a transport law because the officer has no way of determining that you were being truthful.
Cop 1: i stopped you for speeding, license and reg please
Me: here's my license, i'll grab my reg from the glove box (hand over both)
Cop 1: u seem nervous, everything okay?
Me: yes, i'm being pulled over, cops are intimidating
Cop 1: have you been drinking or doing any drugs?
Me: nope
Cop 1: where are you coming from?
Police officer here is playing GOTCHA GAMES, you have the right to remain silent.
Never lie to the police, but you are not required to state where you were or where you are going, you have the right to remain silent.
Cop 1: where are you coming from?
Me: my girl's house, she lives in johnston
Cop 1: how long were you at her house?
Me: since about 7pm
Cop 1: where do you live?
Me: westport, MA
Officer is trying to trip you up, trying to catch you in a lie. You don't have to answer any of these questions, you can choose to remain silent.
Remaining Silent is not an admission of guilt, it is your RIGHT.
Cop 1: do you mind if i do a quick search of your vehicle to verify you have no illegal substances in there?
Me: i don't feel you have a reason to search my car, but go ahead
NEVER CONSENT TO SEARCHES, even if you have nothing to hide! IT CANNOT HELP YOU.
If the police have to ASK to search your vehicle, this means they have no probable cause, because if they did, they would'nt need your consent.
This officer ran ROUGHSHOD over you and abused your rights because you didn't stand up for yourself!
Cop 2: hmmm, interesting. why was it under your seat, wouldn't you want it on you?
Me: it was in my jacket pocket, i got nervous when i saw your lights and put it under the seat
Cop 2: it's best to just keep it on you
Me: i understand
What he really meant to say by "it's best to just keep it on you," is that he could have probably arrested you on some gun transport technicality.
Cop 1: my search is complete, i didn't find anything....do you mind if we call your girlfriend to verify you were with her tonight?
Me: i guess so, she might be sleeping by now
Welcome to Nazi Germany. This is a simple traffic stop for speeding, and the officer is obviously in training, going into a full investigation as if he suspected you of some kind of crime that's been committed in the area. I Would have put a stop to this much much sooner by asserting my rights. Even if remaining silent lands you in jail, your case will be dismissed because the police have no evidence with which to convict you. Even if you were arrested on valid grounds, an attorney can help you to get the charges reduced or otherwise obtain a less severe punishment, but not if YOU TALK AND CONFESS.
the way i understood it, i can drive through RI with the gun as long as i don't stop and get out carrying it anywhere.
Cop 1: you can drive through, but you said you stopped at your girl's house
Right here is the GOTCHA GAME! Answering questions will get you in trouble with the police! They could have detained you and charged you, and by your own admission you CONFESSED to the crime.
sooooo yeaahhhh, catastrophe avoided??? i thought i was going to jail, i know i was on the edge cuz i didn't have a non-resident RI permit. although i feel they searched my car unlawfully, i'm glad i went home to my bed.
Getting arrested is not the worst thing that could happen, getting CONVICTED IS! So next time SHUT YOUR MOUTH and don't talk to the police or answer any questions. Please watch the video below. Remember to take the advice provided in this video with a grain of salt, you don't need to be a jerk to a friendly police officer. Or otherwise turn a simple police encounter into a pissing match or legal battle, the situation could turn out worse for you than if you just co-operated to begin with. When in doubt, and you will be the best judge of this for yourself, SHUT YOUR MOUTH.
Don't talk to Police:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc