KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

 
 
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WHEN YOU ARE ON FOOT:

  • STAY CALM, DON'T RUN OR WALK AWAY.

  • IF ASKED, YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR CORRECT NAME AND ID IF YOU HAVE ONE.

  • IF OFFICER ASKS TO SEARCH YOU, DO NOT CONSENT.

  • NEVER CONSENT TO SEARCH NO MATTER WHAT THE OFFICER THREATENS YOU WITH. IF OFFICER SEARCHES YOU ANYWAY, STAY CALM AND ALLOW THEM TO DO SO.

  • IF YOU BECOME UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THIS STOP, YOU CAN ALWAYS ASK: IF YOU ARE FREE TO LEAVE.

  • IF YOU ARE TOLD YOU ARE NOT FREE TO LEAVE, ASK IF YOU ARE UNDER ARREST, AND FOR WHAT REASON.

IF YOU ARE AT HOME:

  • DO NOT LET THE OFFICERS IN. STEP OUT AND CLOSE THE DOOR BEHIND YOU.

  • IF THE OFFICER ASKS PERMISSION TO SEARCH YOUR HOME, YARD, GARAGE OR PROPERTY, YOU SHOULD SAY NO.

  • IF THE OFFICER SEARCHES ANYWAY, SAY: YOU DO NOT CONSENT. DO NOT TRY TO PHYSICALLY STOP THEM FROM SEARCHING.

 
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IF YOU ARE IN A CAR:

  • THE DRIVER MUST PROVIDE LICENSE, REGISTRATION, PROOF OF INSURANCE.

  • IF REQUESTED, PASSENGERS MUST ACCU­RATELY IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AND PROVIDE ID IF THEY HAVE ONE.

  • TURN ON INSIDE LIGHTS, HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL, KEEP STILL.

  • IF INSTRUCTED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR YOU MUST DO SO. THE OFFICER DOES NOT HAVE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A REASON.

  • IF THE OFFICER ASKS PERMISSION TO SEARCH YOUR VEHICHLE YOU SHOULD SAY NO.

  • IF THE OFFICER SEARCHES YOUR VEHICHLE, ANYWAY, SAY YOU DO NOT CONSENT. DO NOT TRY TO PHYSICALLY STOP THEM FROM SEARCHING.

  • A DRIVER OR PASSENGER IS ALLOWED TO RECORD THE INCIDENT ON A CELL PHONE. IF AN OFFICER ASKS YOU TO PUT THE PHONE AWAY, SAY THAT YOU'RE EXERCISING YOUR RIGHT TO RECORD THIS INCIDENT.

  • IF YOU BECOME UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THIS STOP YOU CAN ALWAYS ASK IF YOU ARE FREE TO LEAVE.

  • IF YOU ARE TOLD YOU ARE NOT FREE TO LEAVE, ASK IF YOU ARE UNDER ARREST, AND FOR WHAT REASON.

WHENEVER YOU ENCOUNTER POLICE ALWAYS REMEMBER:

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  • KEEP YOUR COOL

  • YOU CANNOT WIN AN ARGUMENT WITH THE POLICE.

  • LET YOUR LAWYER FIGHT IT IN COURT

  • IF ARRESTED, DO NOT RESIST, AND STAY SILENT.

  • YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TELL THE POLICE ABOUT YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS.

  • REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED, WRITE DOWN, AND TELL YOUR LAWYER.

  • KEEPING THESE THINGS IN MIND MAY NOT PREVENT ARREST TODAY, BUT HELP MAKE A STRONGER CASE IN COURT TOMORROW.