WE WORK FOR YOU
We stand between you and the prosecution and make sure your rights are protected
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Silence is not a crime, it is a right. Most people believe that cooperating with the police will help prove their innocence, but they are wrong. The police can use your statements as evidence, but the prosecutor cannot tell a jury that you invoked your rights. So when dealing with the police, follow these simple tips so that your criminal defense attorney may defend you efficiently.
Stopped By The Police?
- Stay as calm as you can.
- Remain silent. Remember – silence is not breaking the law.
- Do not resist – no matter how angry you are, it never helps.
- Make sure your hands are up, and visible.
- Keep your hands free of ANY objects which could be confused for a weapon.
- Ask the law enforcement officials, very clearly, “Am I Free To Go?!”
- If they say, “Yes!”, then exit the scene immediately – they are not detaining you.
- If they say, “No – you are being detained!” then show them your ID, and continue to remain silent (remember, they can hold you for up to 3 days in order to ID you).
- You have rights – never forget that!
Police Stopped Your Vehicle?
- Stay as calm as you can.
- Remain silent. You do not have to answer questions.
- Do not resist – no matter how angry you are, it never helps.
- Show them your drivers license, registration, and insurance card.
- NEVER allow them to search you. Never! Say, very clearly, “I do not consent to a search!” Say it loud enough for witnesses to hear. Repeat it if you must.
- DON’T OPEN YOUR CAR DOOR OR TRUNK. Don’t give them access to any part of your vehicle. If you give them an inch, they may take a mile.
- Sign a ticket if they give you one.
- Note – if they require a blood, urine or breath test, and you refuse, your license may be suspended.
- You have rights – never forget that!
Police Attempting To Enter Your Home?
- NEVER allow them to search your home. Never! Say, very clearly, “I do not consent to a search!” Say it loud enough for witnesses to hear. Repeat it if you must.
- If your home’s door is open, step outside and lock the door behind you. Unless they have a warrant, they have no right to enter your property without your consent.
- Ask them to produce a warrant.
- If they have a warrant, review it before you let them do anything — is your exact address on it? Has it been signed by a judge?
- Do not consent to allowing them to search areas of your property not covered by the warrant.
- You have rights – never forget that!
Police Attempting To Search You?
- NEVER allow them to search you. Never! Say, very clearly, “I do not consent to a search!” Say it loud enough for witnesses to hear. Repeat it if you must.
- Do not resist physically – no matter how angry you are, it never helps. They have the right to pat down your clothes, if they have a reasonable suspicion that there are drugs or weapons present (remember – patting down the exterior of your clothes does not give them a right to do anything more than that).
- If your bag (purse, backpack, duffel, etc) is closed, do not open it for the Police.
- You have rights – never forget that!
Mistreated/Abused By The Police?
- Record – with your phone camera, if possible – as much of the incident as possible and any physical or property damage that occurred.
- Write down every single part of the incident: time, place, sequence of events, etc.
- Get as much information as possible about people at the scene: Police officer names & badge numbers, witnesses names, etc.
- Get medical help ASAP – retain copies of the medical report.
- You have rights – never forget that!
Police Have Arrested You?
- Remain silent. Remember — silence is not breaking the law.
- Do not resist – no matter how angry you are, it never helps.
- Say, very clearly, “I choose to remain silent! I want to talk to my lawyer!”
- Keep quiet about the arrest until you do speak to your lawyer. No good can come from talking to anyone before you have spoken with your lawyer.
- You have rights – never forget that!
