 I get asked this question all the time. How do I protect my rights but also not seem like a jerk to the cops? Here's the answer. When you get pulled over, be cheerful, be polite, but don't talk too much. You don't have to give consent to have your car searched. You don't have to have consent to have your bag searched. You can be short and to the point and if you're asked you can say no but you can do it with a smile.