“A Monterey police officer wanted to know if he was carrying any large amounts of cash.”
Sounds like the officer was soliciting a bribe. Good enough reason to never answer that question.
“A Monterey police officer wanted to know if he was carrying any large amounts of cash.”
If you have a voice recorder on your phone, turn it on.
As soon as you get your ticket, ask the officer if you are free to go, and keep asking. If the officer says yes, leave. If the officer says no, ask if you are under arrest; when he says no, ask if you are free to go. If he says you are being detained, ask for what crime and what is his probable cause for holding you.
Never consent to a search.
If the officer asks you to step out of the car ... do so, and lock it. When the officer asks why you locked it, tell them “to make it clear that I do not give you permission to search my car.”