Can A Cop Ask You “Do You Know Why I Pulled You Over” In ND?

Chances are, if you have driven long enough you have experienced those blue lights of a police car turn on behind you.

It's an unnerving feeling for sure.  So many things go through your mind.  "Was I speeding?"  "Did I run a red light?"  "Did I not signal when I exited a roundabout?"

Then, after he or she has pulled you over, you have to wait for the officer to walk up to your vehicle.  It seems like a long slow walk as you try to anticipate what you might have done and how you can maybe get out of a ticket.

A typical first exchange from the officer is the standard, "Do you know why I pulled you over?"

I know in my past, I would typically play dumb, and say something like "I sure don't officer?"  As it turns out that might be the right thing to do.

In Minnesota, this question is no longer allowed in most situations if you should happen to get pulled over.

According to Fox 9 Minneapolis, this is now illegal in Minnesota thanks to lawmakers.  Why was this new law created?  Because that line of questioning could be used to incriminate somebody without them realizing it.

It's thought that eliminating this question might also prevent a conflict from escalating. It's better for the police officer to be straightforward and transparent.

Several other states have similar laws on the books, but how about North Dakota?

I asked one of Bismarck's finest on the force if a North Dakota police officer could use this line on someone they pull over.  The answer is YES!  This is NOT a law in North Dakota.

The officer went on to say, "They can use that line of questioning if they pull you over, but most will just tell you what you did."

There you have it.  If you do get pulled over, it might be best to just say as little as possible, be courteous and respectful, apologize, and you might even get out of that ticket.