Here's my story and I'm sticking to it

[GrayWhale]

  The same officers asked to search my van and I declined.

Can you tell us more how were they like after you declined the search, etc. More details the better, thanks.

 

[GrayWhale]

I would never advise lying to a cop, or telling a half-true story. Most cops are astute at picking out liars and you may find yourself the subject of an interrogation which forces you to tell more lies and half-truths to back up your original story.
 

Here's a question, is it illegal to lie to cop, always? Or is it only illegal to lie to them while they are formally interrogating you, like right after they read you The Miranda Rights?  Like if the cop is just chit chatting and asks if I was in the military and I said yes, but then he starts getting suspicious, asks more questions, I don't lie further, but then he gets mad; so now he arrests me for lying about being a soldier.

 

[Gunny]

Once you have been read your Maranda Rights you are arrested. If you are cuffed and simply being detained the cops are supposed to give you a reason(good luck with that). So many things are discretionary to the cop there is no 'Normal' encounter. The Supreme Court has decided it is lawful for the cops to lie to you. You? Not so much.

 

[highdesertranger]

Gray Whale, why would you tell anybody(not just the police) you were in the military if you were not. if that was an example it was a bad one. highdesertranger

 

[MrNoodly]

I've been approached by officers three times, in legal camping spots, all for pretty much the same reason: my back and side doors were open part way for ventilation. They thought maybe the van had been stolen and abandoned. Maybe they wouldn't have thought that if I'd had the usual outdoor living gear outside. But I don't usually do that. I pull up to a spot and I'm all set. No unpacking necessary. My last encounter was with a couple of rangers at Lake Mead. They saw me in the van once they got out of their truck and said, "Oh, okay. We see you're camping. We get a lot of vehicles abandoned out here. Say, is that part of your solar power system? How is it set up? What are you running?" And so on. Nice guys.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

If you are read your miranda rights the only thing to do at that point is stop talking. No telling the truth and no telling lies at that point, the only thing that will help you is saying absolutely nothing at all.

And if you lie about being in the Military I hope the officer sticks you with every violation he can. Hope that was just a bad example though.

 

[MrNoodly]

My best piece of advice is to always be clean and presentable. First impressions matter. I've had police apologize to me before on that basis, "I can see you're clean cut, you're not up to anything..." because I didn't look like a dirty bum they felt I was a citizen and not a problem.

That's why I keep my van clean and uncluttered, inside and out. It looks like a work truck. People who look like they work get hassled less than people who look like vagabonds.

 

[USExplorer]

If you are in a motor vehicle anywhere in the U S you are required by law to present your license when requested by LE. Regardless whether you are moving or not.

If you are not being detained on suspicion of a violation (Terry or traffic stop), there is no requirement to show ID. Simple as that.

 

[Cammalu]

Jeez, lying about being in the military I believe is a crime under the Stolen Valor Act. Bad news bud..... Kinda makes those of us who did serve a bit pissed also...


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[Gunny]

It's not a crime unless they wear the uniform and try to pass themselves off as being in the military. Even the Stolen Valor act was struck down under the 1st Amendment. Posers are easy to spot, even easier if you have a short conversation with them. I don't really get pissed at them.. More like pity. I think (I don't know for sure) that claiming to have received the MOH is a crime but so freaking easy to check.

 

[Cammalu]

You are right, it IS pitiful


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[Gunny]

A Master Gunnery Sergeant with a bigger gut than I have and Navy Seal Trident at the bottom of his ribbons.

 

[GotSmart]

They wanted my brains, but not my body.  I was set to go submarine nuke tech, but AFEES found Spina Bifida.     I always wonder what would have been~~~

 

[ArtW]

Submarine? talk about 'stealth camping'
I actually like wearing BDUs, but never tried telling anyone i was military (nor tried to look the part), my Dad and Uncle Gary served in 'Nam and Uncle Jack did Korea, I would not disrespect any of them like that, and besides, it'd be a lie

 

[ggwoman]

I don't need a "story" other than the truth...I've just retired, I don't know what I'm doing yet, but it sure does feel great to be free and travel the USA.

 

[DannyB1954]

 I always wonder what would have been~~~

My ship was homeported at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, (Vallejo Ca.), which also had subs. There was a submariner bar there called The Horse and Cow. It was well known that you did not wear underwear there. If caught, they would strip them off of you and toss them into the rafters, (Many pairs were there on display). 
Once I went there and a couple of fellows were sharing a bullfrog. They would pour booze over it and then stick it in their mouth so that the legs were sticking out and jumping, (it was alive). I suppose after being underwater for a while, one finds unwinding to be like a spring coming out of a clock. I took that bar off of my to do list. I heard the bar moved to Washington when the base in California closed and ships transferred to Puget Sound.

 

[gcal]

Has a law enforcement officer knocked on your window or door? Bet you were nervous. Do you acknowledge their presence? Or do you keep silent?

What's your story? 

For me. Well. I'm not on the road yet but I would use my wife and the divorce card. She threw me out. This is what I have to live in. 

What about you?

We were at the Walmart in Cottonwood. A day early for our reservations and did not know they had changed their policy. At 1:00am, knock on the door. Cop was polite, called us ma'am and sir. We were polite. Explained that we had reservations for next day at cg and did not know about changed policy. Dark when we came, saw other rv's ( which also had to move) but did not see signs. Cop told us about blm land we could use. We went and used it. No problem.

 

[GotSmart]

My ship was homeported at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, (Vallejo Ca.), which also had subs. There was a submariner bar there called The Horse and Cow. It was well known that you did not wear underwear there. If caught, they would strip them off of you and toss them into the rafters, (Many pairs were there on display). 
Once I went there and a couple of fellows were sharing a bullfrog. They would pour booze over it and then stick it in their mouth so that the legs were sticking out and jumping, (it was alive). I suppose after being underwater for a while, one finds unwinding to be like a spring coming out of a clock. I took that bar off of my to do list. I heard the bar moved to Washington when the base in California closed and ships transferred to Puget Sound.

I remember that place.  It was just off the Interstate, and had a sub on the roof.  Glad to know I did not miss anything~~~

 

[akrvbob]

Okay, let's get back on topic. Fun stories but not fair to the op. Any more will be deleted. Bob