Source: USA Today

A lawyer in your pocket: Apps aim to change traffic stops forever with legal advice, live-streaming

July 24, 2022

Being stopped by police could lead to a warning, a ticket, a night in jail or a tragedy. But several apps aim to empower drivers who see flashing lights in their rearview mirror by informing them of their rights, recording the encounter — and even offering real-time legal advice.

A review released this year of national police data gathered by the nonprofit Mapping Police Violence found police in the U.S. have killed nearly 600 people during traffic stops since 2017.

But having easy access to your rights or legal support can offer a sense of protection during any traffic stop. The option to record allows the driver to have proof of the stop from their perspective — app creators say that's protection against an inaccurate police account or evidence for a court date. Sometimes those videos go viral.