See the ‘Trick Question’ a Missouri Police Officer Can Ask You

I want to be clear that I love and respect police officers. Several in my family serve in Missouri now and they are the most honorable people you will ever meet. But, this is a general question about what some consider a 'trick question' that a police officer might ask you. Pro Tip: you don't have to answer it.

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This topic came up thanks to a share on a lawyer website. It's a simple, but potentially damning question. Here's another disclaimer: the officer that asks you this might not have ulterior motives. It might be an honest attempt to see if you understand something.

So what 'trick question' gets asked by Missouri police officers the most?

"Do you know why I pulled you over?" or "Do you know what you did wrong?"

This just in. I'm NOT a lawyer. But, I have researched this and the ACLU shares some tips on what you should or should not say when you're pulled over.

First and most important, you cannot knowingly make a false statement to a police officer. But, you also have the right to not say a word. The ACLU recommends that you "show your driver's license, registration and proof of insurance" and ask if you're free to leave. If you're placed under arrest, you are required to be told why.

But wait, there's more...

Yahoo News says that beginning on January 1, 2024, it is illegal in California to begin a traffic stop with the question "Do you know why I pulled you over?". The only exception is if the officer believes the question would prevent a serious and imminent threat.

I actually am not a believer in being silent when talking to a police officer. Again, this is NOT legal advice, but most officers I've dealt with appreciate being honest and I've probably received a warning more often than not when just trying to explain to the officer what I perceived, but that's just me.