Few of us are able to remain calm and rational when we see flashing lights in our rearview mirror. Even when we are absolutely certain of our innocence, high-profile violence and civil rights violations from police officers in recent years make many people nervous to get pulled over. And, of course, being nervous is a recipe for not thinking straight.
It can be very difficult to know what to do during a traffic stop. Even if you think you know your rights, you may forget or misunderstand what you need to do in the face of pressure from a cop. For some people, panic sets in, and they are arrested on the spot, accused of serious crimes such as failure to comply with an officer’s orders, resisting arrest, and even assaulting a police officer. Do not lose hope if you or a loved one find yourself in this situation. You have rights, and one of the most important of these rights is the right to an Illinois criminal defense attorney.