The Federal Bureau of Investigation is not a national police force but is responsible for investigation of interstate crime, internal espionage, and terrorism, as well as the maintenance of a national data base to assist state and local police forces. The FBI also investigates theft of Federal property and fraud against the U.S. government. It is not uncommon for the FBI to cooperate with state and local police in the investigation of a crime. For most international students, the only contacts with American police will be with either local police or the state police, usually in connection with driving a motor vehicle. In Florida and Michigan, it is also illegal to have an open container of alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine, in your vehicle.
Similar legislation is under consideration in Texas.
The police officer, however, cannot search your vehicle without a search warrant unless you consent to it. The penalties for attempted bribery are much more serious than penalties for any traffic violation. Such citations are a matter of public record and affect both your driver's license status and insurance rates. Parking violations are usually payable by mail, but sometimes require a court appearance. In more serious matters, international students in the United States with a valid visa have the same rights and responsibilities as any American citizen.