The Stop Kit

Usually yes. You can record police doing their job in public. But during your own stop, safety orders come first. If an officer tells you to keep your hands where they can see them, do it.

Do: before you hit record, say what you're doing. If a passenger is with you, it's safer for them to record.

"I'm going to record. My phone is in my right hand."

Keep recording. Just don't let the phone become the problem. If it's on a dash mount, leave it there. If it's in your hand, keep it low and still, not in the officer's face. Tell them right away.

"Just so you know, I'm recording. My phone is on the dash. My hands are on the wheel."

If the officer tells you to put it down, follow the order and keep talking calmly. Your words still count, and their camera may still be rolling. Pro tip: put a phone mount on your dash before you ever get pulled over, so you never have to reach for anything.

Many officers wear a body camera, usually on the chest. Police cars often have dash cameras. Not every officer has one: Mississippi has no statewide body camera requirement. Where there is a camera, it records the officer, and it records you.

That can protect you. If something goes wrong, you or your family can request that video later. Your calm voice and your visible hands are your proof.

• Look for the camera on the officer's chest.
• Speak slowly and clearly toward the officer so the camera hears you.
• Say what you're doing before you do it.
• Say your rights out loud, calmly, once.

"I'm keeping my hands on the wheel. I'm not resisting. I don't consent to any searches. I'm choosing to remain silent."

The camera hears everything, good and bad. Yelling, cursing or pulling away ends up on video too. Stay calm so the video tells your side. Documentation beats conversation. Their camera is documentation. Make sure it documents you doing everything right.

Follow the order in the moment. Officers can give safety orders during a stop, and refusing can turn a ticket into an arrest. You won't win that argument on the side of the road. Your report afterward can.

"Okay. I'm putting it down. I'd like to call my parent when we're done."

Then: write down that you were told to stop recording, and when.

Ask first. Don't just grab your phone.

"Can I call my mom? I'm under 18."

If they say no, don't reach for it. Ask again calmly when the stop is over. If you're taken into custody, each of our four places has rules about reaching a parent. See "If you're under 18" on the Before tab.

Not without a warrant, in most cases. The Supreme Court said so in Riley v. California (2014).

"I don't consent to a search of my phone."

Don't unlock it. Don't give your passcode. If they take it anyway, don't fight. Write down who took it and when.

Get out. During a lawful traffic stop, officers can order the driver out (Pennsylvania v. Mimms, 1977) and the passengers too. That second case came from Maryland: Maryland v. Wilson (1997).

Do: move slowly, keep your hands visible, close the door behind you. You still don't have to consent to a search.

It depends on what you're doing when you're stopped.

• Driving: yes. Hand over your license, registration and proof of insurance when asked.
• Passenger: usually not required. In these four places we found no law that makes a passenger show ID just for riding in a car that got stopped. If you're told you're being detained or suspected of something, ask. Recheck
• Walking: none of these four places has a general law that makes a person walking show ID. In DC, if you're stopped for a pedestrian traffic ticket, like crossing against the light, you must give your true name and address, but you don't have to carry or show an ID card (D.C. Code 50-2303.07). Verified If an officer is writing you a ticket or arresting you anywhere, refusing your name can lead to being taken in to be identified.
• At school: your school's rules can require your student ID. That's a school rule, not a police stop rule.

"Am I being detained? Am I required to identify myself?"

Three rules that never change: never give a fake name or fake ID (in Virginia that's a crime by itself, Va. Code 19.2-82.1). Not having ID on you is usually not a crime unless you're driving. And showing ID is not agreeing to a search.

Example: You're walking home with two friends. An officer pulls up: "Let me see some ID." You: "Officer, am I being detained?" Officer: "No, just checking." You: "Then I'm choosing not to show ID. Am I free to go?" If yes, walk away calmly.

In these four places we didn't find a general law making passengers give their name. Rules can depend on the situation, so ask.

"Am I required to identify myself?"

Never give a fake name. In Virginia, that's a crime by itself.

It means you ARE detained. The words don't decide it. What happens decides it. Under the law, if a reasonable person wouldn't feel free to leave, you've been stopped (United States v. Mendenhall, 1980; Florida v. Bostick, 1991).

"Okay. So I am being detained. What's the reason?"

Then stay put. Don't walk away. Remember both answers word for word. "Not detained" plus "not free to go" is exactly what your report and their camera should capture.

Sometimes, yes. During questioning, police are generally allowed to use tricks or say things that aren't true (Frazier v. Cupp, 1969). They might say "Your friend already told us everything" or "This will go easier if you just talk."

Virginia is different for kids. Since 2025, Virginia officers questioning a child in custody may not knowingly lie about important facts, including with fake documents (Va. Code 16.1-247.1). Verified Maryland lawmakers have tried to pass a similar rule every year since 2022, and it hasn't passed. We found no such law in Mississippi or DC.

That's why you don't explain yourself. You can't be tricked into saying something you never say.

"I'm choosing to remain silent. I want a lawyer. I want my parent."

They can:

• Stop you if they have a reason to suspect a crime or a traffic violation.
• Stop you for a real traffic violation even if they're really curious about something else (Whren v. United States, 1996). That's why a broken tag light can start a stop.
• Order you out of the car.
• Pat down the outside of your clothes if they reasonably think you're armed (Terry v. Ohio, 1968).
• Ask you questions. You don't have to answer.
• Arrest you if they have probable cause.

They can't:

• Keep you longer than the stop needs without a new reason. Once the ticket is done, the stop should be done (Rodriguez v. United States, 2015).
• Search your phone without a warrant (Riley v. California, 2014).
• Search your car or bag without your consent, a warrant or probable cause.
• Force you to answer questions.
• Use more force than the situation calls for.
• Stop you just because of your race.

Some officers may push your buttons, on purpose or not. A sarcastic question. An insult. Standing too close. Talking back usually isn't a crime by itself. But pulling away, stepping toward an officer, reaching suddenly or refusing a lawful order can give them a legal reason to detain or arrest you.

If they try to get you out of character, staying in character is how you win. You don't win the argument on the street. You win it on camera, in your report and in your complaint.

Do: breathe. Slow down. Hands visible. Short sentences. Let the camera see a calm young person who knows the law.

That's usually a voluntary conversation. You can decline.

"Am I free to go?" If yes: "I'm choosing not to answer questions. Have a good day."

Then leave calmly. Don't run.

A school officer is still police. You can ask for your parent. In Maryland, if you're in custody, you must talk to a lawyer before police can question you, even at school (Cts. & Jud. Proc. 3-8A-14.2). Verified

"I want my parent here before I answer any questions."

Don't push. Read the name tag and badge on the uniform. Remember the car number and plate. Write down the time and place. That's enough to file.

Don't resist, pull away or run. Even if the arrest is wrong, resisting can become its own charge.

"I'm not resisting. I'm choosing to remain silent. I want a lawyer."

The fight happens in court and in your complaint.