Arrests in Salisbury, MD happen when police believe they have probable cause for arrest. Some arrests happen because people simply don’t know their rights when interacting with police officers. When you are stopped by law enforcement, you do have the right to remain silent. It’s important to claim this right out loud. If you don’t, the officer may not know why you are not talking. If an officer asks to search your car during a traffic stop, you don’t have to consent. In some cases, this can lead to the police purposely detaining you for longer than expected. Don’t panic. They may be just trying to push your buttons because you exercised your rights. Also, they may be waiting for a drug-sniffing dog to arrive. They will use the dog to sniff around the exterior of your vehicle. They will only bother with the drug dog if they highly suspect you might be a drug dealer.
Unfortunately, there is such thing as police misconduct. Even if you invoke your rights, a police officer engaging in misconduct will simply ignore them. If that’s the case, it’s a situation of your word against the word of the police officer. Marc A. Zeve, PA Attorney at Law or any other lawyer that deals with criminal defense can help you if you feel you are a victim of police misconduct. There are recording apps that you can use to avoid police misconduct. Let the officer know you are recording your interaction with them. These apps immediately send the video to a remote server. Even if your phone is confiscated, your video will be secure. It can then be used as evidence in your defense.
It’s easy to see how traffic stops lead to arrests in Salisbury, MD. Some people don’t stay calm during the traffic stop. They may feel they are being wrongly profiled. This can lead to a verbal altercation with police. Things can simply escalate from there. If you are arrested, police can then search your vehicle. They can also search your car if they see something like a gun or drugs in plain sight. If you are arrested, you should immediately ask to speak with a lawyer.