When you interact with authorities in Florida, you would be wise to watch what you do and say. The less you do and say, the less they have to potentially hold against you. You must be careful, though, because, in some instances, authorities may try to employ certain tactics to get you to incriminate yourself.
An important way you may be able to help avoid incriminating yourself when communicating with law enforcement officials is to exercise your right to remain silent.
Your right to remain silent
If Florida law enforcement officers stop you, thinks you had involvement in a crime and asks for your name, you have to give it to them. Aside from providing your name, though, you maintain the right to remain silent, and it may serve you well to exercise it. You have no obligation to answer questions about your country of origin, how you entered Florida and so on.
Your right to refuse search requests
If Florida authorities stop you and have something called probable cause, they may move forward with searching your vehicle, regardless of whether you consent to the search. Otherwise, you maintain the right to refuse such a search request. If you do not want your vehicle searched and the officer lacks probable cause, remain polite, but tell him or her that you do not consent to the search. Then, ask if you are free to leave.
You do not want to give Florida authorities any information that could potentially incriminate you. The more you understand about your rights, the lower the chances of authorities leading you to self-incriminate.
