The point I was trying to make, as my wife explained it to me, is that you are being detained for that stop and you are not free to go until the officer has decided that the traffic stop has ended, with you getting a ticket or not.
I'm right with you on choosing not to answer any questions or divulge any extra information that would allow them to come up with probable cause to create a situation that would allow them access to your person or property.
She claims that the "Am I being detained, am I free to go" question doesn't help you, in that you ARE being detained for that stop and you are not free to go until the stop is over. If you ask this at the end of your encounter and are let go, you were likely about to be cut loose anyways.
I'm right with you on choosing not to answer any questions or divulge any extra information that would allow them to come up with probable cause to create a situation that would allow them access to your person or property.
She claims that the "Am I being detained, am I free to go" question doesn't help you, in that you ARE being detained for that stop and you are not free to go until the stop is over. If you ask this at the end of your encounter and are let go, you were likely about to be cut loose anyways.