The Law Office of Joel Chorny, PLLC

06/06/2026

Most drivers have heard this question:

“Do you know why I stopped you?”

The officer has already decided to make the stop.

So what are they listening for when they ask?

Many people accidentally volunteer information they didn’t need to provide because they assume they’re supposed to answer.

Understanding the purpose of the question can change how you think about traffic stops.

06/06/2026

Most drivers have heard this question:

“Do you know why I stopped you?”

The officer has already decided to make the stop.

So what are they listening for when they ask?

Many people accidentally volunteer information they didn’t need to provide because they assume they’re supposed to answer.

Understanding the purpose of the question can change how you think about traffic stops.

One of the most common questions asked during a traffic stop is:“...

06/06/2026

A jury convicted a former Philadelphia police officer with perjury for falsely testifying under oath.

06/05/2026

Many drivers think they need to explain everything during a traffic stop.

So they start talking.

The problem is that every explanation creates more information that can later become part of an investigation.

There is a difference between being polite and volunteering information.

Understanding that difference can matter.

06/05/2026

Many drivers think they need to explain everything during a traffic stop.

So they start talking.

The problem is that every explanation creates more information that can later become part of an investigation.

There is a difference between being polite and volunteering information.

Understanding that difference can matter.

A lot of drivers think they need to explain everything during a tra...

06/04/2026

Most people think the police report begins at the station.

Technically, that’s when the writing happens.

But the content often begins much earlier.

Every explanation, estimate, excuse, and admission can become part of the report later.

That’s why it’s important to understand that what feels like a casual conversation may actually be part of an investigation.

06/04/2026

Most people think the police report begins at the station.

Technically, that’s when the writing happens.

But the content often begins much earlier.

Every explanation, estimate, excuse, and admission can become part of the report later.

That’s why it’s important to understand that what feels like a casual conversation may actually be part of an investigation.

Most people think the police report starts when the officer gets ba...

06/03/2026

Many drivers believe the more questions they answer, the better things will go.

So they explain:
• where they’re coming from
• where they’re going
• why they’re in a hurry
• how fast they think they were going

But answering questions doesn’t erase the reason for the stop.

What it does do is create more statements that can later become part of a police report.

There is a difference between being polite and volunteering information.

06/03/2026

Many drivers believe the more questions they answer, the better things will go.

So they explain:
• where they’re coming from
• where they’re going
• why they’re in a hurry
• how fast they think they were going

But answering questions doesn’t erase the reason for the stop.

What it does do is create more statements that can later become part of a police report.

There is a difference between being polite and volunteering information.

Many people believe that if they’re cooperative enough, answer enou...

06/02/2026

The police officer already knows why they pulled you over.

The stop has already happened.

But many drivers think they can talk their way out of it, so they start explaining:

* where they’re going,
* where they’re coming from,
* why they were in a hurry,
* why they don’t think they were speeding.

The problem is that every explanation creates more statements that can later be used to build a narrative about what happened.

There is a difference between being polite and volunteering information.