So, if a cop asks to search my car, am I well advised to decline? Am I within my rights to do so? I would never have cocaine or any other such substance, and I would love to say no, but I’m nervous that a cop can do and say anything.
Yes you have the right to refuse a request to search . You have that right . Now if you have contraband in plain sight or if you admit to contraband or if a dog gets a hit conformation your consent is not necessary. A law enforcement officer also may not ask for search consent until he has returned your DL or written your citation and released you from coercion before asking for consent to search . Oh yeah I am a sworn officer and we are not going to waste our time on someone unless their actions raise the red flag or we think something is criminal in nature..