Tag: TRAFFIC STOP

Officer Frank: NMA E-Newsletter #538

Editor’s Note: Over the years, the NMA has received occasional contact from law enforcement officers who have complained about department policies, sometimes crafted to avoid direct violation of state anti-ticket-quota laws, which force officers to write a predetermined number of citations during each work shift. The following commentary recently submitted to us by “Officer Frank” […]

Newsletter Reboot: To Record or Not to Record, That is the Question

This newsletter originally appeared on the NMA website in November 2018. An interesting phenomenon is being reported by some members. Police officers approaching their vehicles during routine traffic stops are asking an opening question different than the traditional, “Do you know why I stopped you?” Rather, in this day of rising popularity of dashcams and […]

From Canada, With Love

One thing inevitably follows the next — if the first thing is tolerated. When the Supreme Court, America’s unelected legislative body, created an exception (several, actually) to the Fourth Amendment’s clear and definite prohibition of searches without having first established probable cause and without a specific warrant, the Fourth Amendment became a functional nullity — […]

When is it a Good Idea to Keep a Dashcam in Your Daily Driver?

From Florida attorney Scott Distasio If you are thinking about buying a dashcam for the vehicle you drive daily, you might be wondering if it’s worth it. Dashcams range in price from $20 to several hundred dollars, which is a significant difference for a lot of drivers. Looking at the benefits you can get when […]

1987 Again . . . Briefly: Thoughts on a Traffic Stop Encounter

Yesterday, I had an encounter with an armed government worker on a motorcycle, running a speed trap. And running laser, which is kryptonite to even the best radar detector because you get no warning. If the detector detects laser, you are already detected. Which is just what happened to me. Bingo! You “win.” I was […]

Presumptive vs. Actual Impairment

Yesterday, my buddy got into an accident. An actual accident — because it was one he could not have avoided. A minivan pulled out in front of him, struck his Jeep — which spun several times before ending up in a ditch. My buddy is largely unhurt — except for his heart. Because his Jeep, […]

To Record or Not to Record, That is the Question: NMA E-Newsletter #512

An interesting phenomenon is being reported by some members. Police officers approaching their vehicles during routine traffic stops are asking an opening question different than the traditional, “Do you know why I stopped you?” Rather, in this day of rising popularity of dashcams and the ubiquitous presence of smartphones, the opening query is just as […]