Traffic stop rights and conduct · Florida
What should you do at a traffic stop in Florida?
With Sabrina Jadunandan, Orlando DUI defense attorneyDuration 1:19Reviewed 2026-08-07
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What should I do — and not do — during a Florida traffic stop?
Comply with lawful commands, and volunteer as little as possible. In this video Sabrina rates common traffic-stop moves: asking whether you are free to leave and asking why you were pulled over both rate highly, as does getting out of the car when an officer lawfully asks. Over-explaining your driving and guessing your speed give the officer evidence you were not required to provide. Driving away is a felony. Asking for a warning costs nothing.
What this video covers
- Asking whether you are free to leave
- Complying with lawful commands
- Why volunteering information hurts
Full transcript
Things to do at a traffic stop out of 10. Ask am I free to leave? Oh, 10 out of 10. A lot of times officers are doing a traffic stop to try to get into your car, so always ask if you're free to leave. Asking why did you pull me over? 10 out of 10. Sometimes the officer will explain to you why you're being pulled over. Sometimes they won't, but doesn't hurt to ask. Asking how fast you were going? 7 out of 10. I think if you truly don't know, or they're asking you how fast you were going, you can be like, well how fast was I going? You don't have to volunteer information to the police officer. Getting out of the car when the officer asks. 10 out of 10. It is important that you comply with any lawful command from a law enforcement officer. A lot of times this officer safety, so always, always get out of the car when the officer asks you. Driving off. Don't do that. Don't do that. It's a felony. Zero out of 10. No, not even zero. Negative 100 out of 10. Don't do that. Over-explaining your driving behavior. No, don't do like I said. Don't volunteer information if you don't have to volunteer information to an officer. Asking for a warning instead of a ticket. 10 out of 10. The worst they can say is no. Calling the officer a pig. Zero out of 10.
Florida law and sources
- U.S. Constitution, Fifth AmendmentConstitution Annotated
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About Sabrina Jadunandan
Former DUI prosecutor, now an Orlando DUI defense attorney.
The information on this website is for general information only and is not legal advice.