You’re driving home from a long and crappy day at work and you’re pulled over for speeding. You’re tired and not in the best of moods, especially since you know you’re probably gonna get fined.
You’re polite and respectful with the officer, but perhaps a bit short with your answers.
The officer, taking offense to your not so lengthy answers, asks you to step out of the vehicle so that he can search your car.
Driving 11 miles over the speed limit could cost one man more than a quarter-million dollars in cash.
The 35-year-old British Columbia man was pulled over Friday on northbound Interstate 5 near Northgate Mall for driving 71 mph, State Patrol spokesman Jeff Merrill said. The man, who had a valid Canadian driver’s license, had a difficult time explaining where he was going and how long he had been in Washington state.
The trooper, a nearly 20-year veteran who asked not to be identified, became suspicious and asked to search the man’s Honda Accord for “any criminal activity,” Merrill said. The man agreed.
The trooper found two suitcases in the trunk, including one that contained $276,640 in U.S. currency. When asked about the cash, the man launched into an elaborate tale about winning the stacks of dollar bills at casinos in Washington, California and Nevada, Merrill said.
“He was super-vague and evasive,” Merrill said. “He admitted his own stories sounded ridiculous.”
The trooper was unconvinced that the money was obtained legally, especially since the man couldn’t produce any receipts, Merrill said. The trooper confiscated the cash, gave the man a warning about speeding and released him.
Granted, my scenario is different from the one on the news story, but only by a little bit.
The officer says that the guy’s answers were “vague”. So were the reasons for his request to search.
While driving up to go purchase Buddy the Jeep this weekend, it was my brother and I in my F150 rolling up I-5, not exactly doing the speed limit. Two 30+ year old males covered in tattoos, one of whom was carrying $3000 in cash.
I had just gotten off from working a 13 hour day and was looking at probably having to go in over the weekend to finish up the week. I had been up for 20 hours and could have used a shave a shave.
If I’d have been pulled over and a trooper had asked me to step out so he could search my truck, he’d have had to go get a warrant. I do not have a single moment to waste on some cruiser jockey looking to stereotype my ass and take my legally obtained cash because he “thinks” I might be up to no good. He’s gonna have to prove it or I’ll have his goddam hat to wipe my ass with.
While the guy in the story was quite possibly up to some shady business, the officer had no legal reason whatsoever to confiscate his cash, if it weren’t for some ignorant laws making it legal to confiscate it.
Like fish to bait, dangle that green where they can see it and they’ll make you work to get it back.
As with any encounter with Law enforcement, be civil and respectful, and say nothing.
What Christopher said. If things start to go poorly, remember the phrase, “I would like to have a lawyer present please.” Then clam up.