imported post
SoLasVegas wrote:
First, I am not commenting on how the OP handled the interaction. As was stated by others, as long as he is happy with the results, then that's all that really matters. Good job remaining cool and calm under the circumstances, by the way!
I did want to interject that there may be situations in which giving your name when not required could be a bad idea. Consider the possibility that someone else has the same name as you, but that person has outstanding warrants for their arrest. If you volunteer your name when not required, this would then give the officer a reason to continue his or her interaction with you, detaining you further. At this point you would likely be compelled to then provide ID or more details to further identify yourself.
Good point, I have a friend who has the exact same name and middle initial of another person in his city that has been in alot of trouble and committed violent crimes. My friend has had guns drawn on him, been harrassed and went through some terrible situations due to these mistakes. When he is giving information to police in a traffic stop, he nows speaks out clearly ASAP that he is not that same guy.
I've learned not to talk. Its unfortunate but it serves me best. When in contact with a LEO it can be a very threatening situation for people. Who really knows what their intent is when they are asking questions (investigating you for a crime, any crime even ones they aren't even able to state at that point).
Q - Why are you carrying around a gun?
A - for self defense,
Q - oh so you are planning on shooting someone?
Q - so are you expecting trouble?
The following queries can trip people up who aren't thinking to the point of providing enough reasonable suspicions for further detainment. Not everyone is skilled and able to talk to the police while providing themselves protection from those same officers.
I've seen it happen to both my teenagers in seperate events. One was my daughter who tried to do the right things and answer questions truthfully but was raked over the coals when she had done nothing criminal whatsoever. If she would have just defended herself from the intimidating and the cop leading her on, she would have been fine by being silent. She learned her lesson and I hope she has the strength not to repeat her mistake.
My son was arrested for a misdemenor charge. It would have been hard to prove in court. He's a very honest kid and wasn't harming or intending to harm anyone. Hefessed up because he thought it was the right thing to do and now he will pay a very heavy price for it when possibly nothing further would have been done to him. Alot heavier of a price than what his crime deserves, that's for damn sure. He learned his lesson and I hope he has the strength not to repeat his mistake.
Unless I am the victim, unless myproperty or person was damaged or stolen, unless I need them to help me or another innocent that has been wronged, I am not talking,period, but to each his own.
