did i just break the law?

[J.W.]

I was on a date last night and we we're driving back to her house after a movie. We both decided that we didn't want the date to be over yet and instead of sitting in her parents driveway talking, we pulled into a parking lot for state game lands. I'm sure there will be some comments about it but I assure you, our intentions were very pure. We were there for about 20 minutes before a policeman came knocking on the window. He was polite, asked what we were doing, and asked for ID. We both gave him our drivers lisences and before he went back to his cruiser with them, asked if we had any illegal drugs, weapons, or weapons of mass destruction in the car (he was joking about the last part). I don't know if it was instinctive or I'm so used to carrying or what but I told him no even though I was carrying concealed. I have a valid LTCF so I wasn't carrying an illegal weapon like he asked for but it still feels like I did something wrong by telling him no. So I guess I'm posting to get some feedback, did I do something illegal?

[Steve_NEPhila]

You waived your right to remain silent. Watch this video and learn...



You never have to answer any questions by the police. If you lie to the police you can be convicted of a felony (depending on circumstances). Know your rights.

[Steve in PA]

Yeah, never answer any questions. Just sit there with your mouth shut

[mrjam2jab]

asked if we had any illegal drugs, weapons, or weapons of mass destruction in the car

Certainly sounds like he was asking about illegal weapons....

[P7hk9]

Did they even have to supply ID?

[den9]

depends, im not sure if this applies for state game lands, but for parks and such sometimes it says you cant be there after dusk

[ungawa]

Did they even have to supply ID?

The passenger was not required to even carry ID.

[GunLawyer001]

It's illegal to lie to a cop during the course of a criminal investigation. Doesn't sound like there was such an investigation here.

At the same time, police need a warrant to conduct a search, usually. They can't get around this by requiring you to tell them what they would find if they had a warrant and conducted a search. You have both a 4th Amendment protection against searches, and a 5th Amendment protection against self-incrimination.

There's something to be said for all citizens, both the innocent and the guilty, to assert their Constitutional rights. That way, cops can't focus their attention on just the people who assert their rights. If they detain everyone who knows their rights, they will see some reaction on Election Day.

[Russ257]

please explain the "don't talk to cops" plan. If you sit there and don't answer their questions won't they consider that suspicious and be able to search your vehicle.

[Steve_NEPhila]

please explain the "don't talk to cops" plan. If you sit there and don't answer their questions won't they consider that suspicious and be able to search your vehicle.

Nope. Watch the video. What makes you think that the police can do whatever they want? Why would a police officer having no other suspicion be able to search your vehicle if you refuse to answer any questions? If that was the case, whether you were to say something or say nothing they could search your car anyway without asking you questions.

Do not be afraid of your rights, learn them and know them. Then tell others about them.

There is no explaining the "do not talk to the police." It really is just as simple as not talking to the police. Why are you not clear on that?