What makes a police officer powerless? A well informed citizen who knows their rights!
4. Just Say NO to Police Searches! – If a police officer didn’t need your permission to search you, he wouldn’t be asking you. Never give permission for a police officer to search you, your car or your home. If a police officer does search you, don’t resist and keep saying “I don’t consent to this search.”
A police officer has no right to detain you unless there exists reasonable suspicion that you have committed a crime or traffic violation. However a police officer is always allowed to initiate a “voluntary” conversation with you. You always have the right not to talk or answer any questions a police officer might ask you. Just tell the police officer “I’m going to remain silent.” Under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, police may engage in “reasonable” searches and seizures. To prove that a search is reasonable the police generally must show that it’s more likely than not that a crime has occurred and that if a search is conducted it’s probable that the police officer will find evidence of the crime. This is called “probable cause.”
From – PoliceCrimes.com –
Police officers hate to hear these words:
“Am I free to go?”
“I’m going to remain silent.”
“I don’t consent to a search.”
You have rights during a traffic stop and when a police officer walks up to you on the street. Learn what your rights are and use them!
1. Your Safety – You start with putting the police officer at ease, you know the one behind you with flashing lights. Pull over to a safe place, turn off your ignition, stay in the car and keep your hands on the steering wheel. At night turn on the interior lights. Keep your license, registration and proof of insurance close by like in the “sun visor.”
Be courteous, stay calm, smile and don’t complain. Show respect and say things like “sir and no sir.” Never bad-mouth a police officer, stay in control of your words, body language and your emotions. Keep your hands where the police officer can see them. Never touch a police officer and never run away!
2. Never Talk To A Police Officer – The only questions you need to answer is your name, address, date of birth, sometimes your social security number but NOTHING else! Instead of telling the police officer who you are, give him your drivers license or your I.D. card. All the information the police officer needs to know about you, can be found on your i.d. card or drivers license. Don’t volunteer any information to a police officer, if the cop ask you a question politely ask him “Am I free to go?” If he says yes then leave, if he says no then say I’m Going to Remain Silent.
3. I’m Going to Remain Silence – The Supreme Court says you should never talk to a police officer without an attorney. The Supreme Court ruled you must speak up and SAY to the police officer “I’m going to remain silent” and then keep your mouth shut!How can you be falsely accused and charged with a crime, if you don’t say anything? Never talk to a police officer, anything you say or do can and will be used against you at any time by the police.
4. Just Say NO to Police Searches! – If a police officer didn’t need your permission to search you, he wouldn’t be asking you. Never give permission for a police officer to search you, your car or your home. If a police officer does search you, don’t resist and keep saying “I don’t consent to this search.”
5. Am I Free to Go? – As soon as the police officer ask you a question ask him, “Am I free to go?” You have to ask if you’re “free to go,” otherwise the police officer will think that you’re voluntarily staying around to talk with him. If the police officer says that you’re being detained or arrested tell the police officer, “I’m going to remain silent.”
Anything You Say Can And Will Be Used Against You!
Silence is not an admission of guilt and can not be used against you in court.
When you talk to a police officer they are either videotaping or audio recording you and this is why you must NEVER talk to the police officer. You have every right NOT to talk to a police officer and you should NOT talk to a police officer unless you have first consulted with a lawyer and the lawyer has advised you differently. Police officers depend on fear and intimidation to get what they want from you and this includes giving up your rights. The government made a law that allows police officers to lie to American citizens. That’s another reason not to trust the police or the Federal government.
Never voluntarily talk to a police officer, there’s no such thing as a “friendly chat.” Let the police officer do all the talking and you stay silent. The Supreme Court has recently ruled that you should NOT talk to a police officer without a lawyer and you must say out loud “I’m going to remain silent.” It can be very dangerous to talk to a police officer or a Federal Agent. Innocent people have talked to a police officer and ended up in jail and prison, all because they spoke to a police officer without an attorney.
Police officers have the same right as you “Freedom of Speech.” Police may ask you anything they want, but you should never answer any of their questions. Don’t let the police officer try and persuade you to talk! Say something like “I’m sorry, I don’t have time to talk right now.” If the cop insists on talking to you, ask him “Am I free to go?” The police officer may not like when you refuse to talk to him and challenge you with words like, “If you have nothing to hide, why won’t you speak to me? Say to officer again “I told you I don’t have time to talk to you right now, Am I free to go?” If you forget or the police officer tricks you into talking, it’s okay just start over again and tell the police officer “I’m going to remain silent.”
The Supreme Court has ruled that if a police officer doesn’t force you to do something, then you’re doing it “voluntarily.” That means if the police officer starts being intimidating and you do what he “ask” because you’re “afraid,” you still have done it voluntarily. (Florida v. Bostick, 1991) If you do what the police officer “ask” you to do such as allowing him to search your car or answer any of his questions, you are ‘voluntarily‘ complying with his ‘requests.’ So don’t comply, just keep your mouth shut unless you say “Am I Free to Go?” or “I don’t consent to a search.”
Be as nice as possible to the police officer, but stand your ground on your rights! Where do some of your rights come from? Read the Fourth and Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Traffic Stops and Your Rights
Keep your license, registration and proof of insurance in an easily accessible place, like your sun visor. When pulled over by a police officer stay in the car, turn on the interior lights and keep your hands on the steering wheel. Sit still, relax and wait for the officer to come to you. Any sudden movements, ducking down, looking nervous or appearing to be searching for something under your seat could get you shot.
Don’t forget during traffic stops the police are videotaping you, this is why you must NOT talk to the police officer. Police officers like to ask the first question and that’s usually, “do you know why I stopped you? Do you know how fast you were going?” The police officer is trying to get you to do two things, admit that you committed a traffic violation and to get you to “voluntarily” start a conversation with him.Remember the police officer is not your friend and should not be trusted! The only thing you need to say is “I’m going to remain silent and am I free to go?”
The police officer might start asking you personal questions such as “where are you going, where have you been and who did you see, ect.” At that point it’s the perfect time to exercise your rights by asking the police officer “AM I FREE TO GO?” There’s NO legal requirement that American citizens provide information about their comings and goings to a police officer. It’s none of the police officers damn business! Keep asking the police officer “AM I FREE TO GO?” You have to speak up and verbally ask the police officer if your allowed to leave, otherwise the courts will assume that you wanted to stay and talk to the police officer on your own free will.
Passengers in your vehicle need to know their rights as well. They have the same right NOT to talk to a police officer and the right to refuse a search “unless it’s a ‘pat down’ for weapons.” The police will usually separate the passengers from each other and ask questions to see if their stories match. All passengers should always give the same answer and say, “I’m going to remain silent and am I free to go?” Remember you have to tell the police officer that you don’t want to talk to him. It’s the law
How long can a police officer keep you pulled over “detained” during a traffic stop? The Supreme Court has said no more than 15-20 minutes is a reasonable amount of time for a police officer to conduct his investigation and allow you to go FREE. But you have to keep asking the police officer “AM I FREE TO GO?”
During a traffic stop a good time to ask “AM I FREE TO GO,” is after the police officer has given you a “warning or a ticket” and you have signed it. Once you have signed the ticket the traffic stop is legally over says the U.S. Supreme Court. There’s no law that requires you to stay and talk to the police officer or answer any questions. After you have signed the ticket and got your license back you may roll up your window, start your car and leave. If you’re outside the car ask the police officer, “AM I FREE TO GO?” If he says yes then get in your car and leave.
Car Searches And Body Searches
Remember the police officer wouldn’t be asking you, if he didn’t need your permission to search! “The right to be free from unreasonable searches is one of America’s most precious First Liberties.”
Police officers swore an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and not to violate your rights against unreasonable search and seizure Fourth Amendment. Denying a police officers request to search you or your car is not an admission of guilt, it’s your American right! Some police officers might say, “if you have nothing to hide, you should allow me to search.” Politely say to the police officer “I don’t consent to a search and am I FREE to go?“
For the safety of police officers the government allows the police to pat down your outer clothing to see if you have any weapons. If the police officer feels something that he believes is a weapon, then he can go into your pockets and pull out the item he believes is a weapon.
A police officer may ask you or even demand that you empty your pockets, but you have the right to say “NO! AM I FREE TO GO?” There’s NO law that requires you to empty your pockets when a police officer tells you to do so. The only time a police officer should be taking your personal property out of your pockets is after you have been arrested.
The police officer is allowed to handcuff you and/or detain you in his police car. Don’t resist or you will be arrested! There’s a big difference between being detained and being arrested. Say nothing in the police car! Police will be recording your conversation inside the police car, say nothing to your friend and don’t talk to the police officers inside the car!
If you are arrested and your car is towed, the police are allowed to take an “inventory” of the items in your car. If anything is found illegal in your vehicle, the police will get a warrant from a judge and then charge you with another crime.
Don’t Open Your Door At Home If A Police Officer Knocks!
If the police knock on your door at home, there’s no law that says you have to open you door to police officers. “Don’t worry if they do have a search warrant, they’ll kick in your door before they knock.” * There is NO law that requires you to open your door to a police officer.* Don’t open your door with the chain-lock on either, police officers will shove their way in. Simply shout to the police officers “I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY” or just don’t say anything at all.
Guest and roommates staying in your home/apartment/dorm need to be told of their rights and not to open the door to a police officer or invite police officer into your home without your permission. Police officers are like vampires, they need your permission to come into your home. Never invite a police officer into your home, such an invitation not only gives police officers an opportunity to look around for clues to your lifestyle, habits, friends, reading material, etc; but also tends to prolong the conversation.
Never agree to go to the police station if the police want to question you. Just say, “I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY.”
* In some emergency situations (for example when a someone is screaming for help from inside your home, police are chasing someone into your home, police see a felony being committed or if someone has called 911 from inside your house) police officers are then allowed to enter and search your home without a warrant.
Teenagers have rights also, if you’re under 18 click here. If your children don’t know their rights and they go talking to a teacher, school principal, police officer or a Federal agent without an attorney, it could cost your family dearly and change the lives of your family forever!
Dealing With A Police Officer In Public
NEVER give consent to a police officer and allow for a conversation to start. If a police officer stops you and ask to speak with you, you’re perfectly within your rights to say “I do not wish to speak with you,” then say good-bye. At this point you should be free to leave, but the police officer will probably ask for your identification. If you have identification on you, tell the officer where it’s at and ask permission to reach for it. “In some states you’re not required to show an I.D. unless the police officer has reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime.” Know the laws of your state!
The police officer might start asking you questions, at this point you may ask the officer “Am I Free to Go?” The police officer may not like this and may challenge you with words like, “If you have nothing to hide, why won’t you speak to me?” Just like the first question, you don’t have to answer this question either. Police officers need your permission to have a conversation. There is NO law that says you have tell a police officer where you are going or where you have been, so keep your mouth shut and say nothing! Don’t answer any questions (except name, address and age) until you have a lawyer.
Probable Cause
A police officer has no right to detain you unless there exists reasonable suspicion that you have committed a crime or traffic violation. However a police officer is always allowed to initiate a “voluntary” conversation with you. You always have the right not to talk or answer any questions a police officer might ask you. Just tell the police officer “I’m going to remain silent.” Under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, police may engage in “reasonable” searches and seizures. To prove that a search is reasonable the police generally must show that it’s more likely than not that a crime has occurred and that if a search is conducted it’s probable that the police officer will find evidence of the crime. This is called “probable cause.”
Police may use first hand information or tips from an informant “snitch” to justify the need to search your property or you. If an informant’s information is used, the police must prove that the information is reliable under the circumstances to a judge.
Here’s a case when several police officers took the word of a “snitch,” claiming he knew where a “drug dealer” lived. Corrupt police officers in Houston Texas took it upon themselves to go to this house that the snitch had “picked at random” and kicked in the front door at 1:30 in the morning. Police never bothered to get a warrant from a judge. The aftermath was… Police Officers In Texas Are Allowed to Murder Innocent People and Get Away With It
Can We Trust Police Officers? Hell No!
Are police officers allowed to lie to you? Yes the Supreme Court has ruled that police officers can lie to the American people. Police officers are trained at lying, twisting words and being manipulative. Police officers and other law enforcement agents are very skilled at getting information from people. So don’t try to “out smart” a police officer and don’t try being a “smooth talker” because you will loose! If you can keep your mouth shut, you just might come out ahead more than you expected.
Teach your children that they must call a parent for permission before they’re allowed to talk to police officer. Remember police officers are trained to put your child at ease and build trust. A police officers job is to find, arrest and help convict a suspect and that suspect could be your child!
Although police officers may seem nice and pretend to be on your side they’re wanting to learn your habits, opinions, and affiliations of other people not suspected of wrongdoing. Don’t try to answer a police officers questions, it can be very dangerous! You can never tell how a seemingly harmless bit of information that you give to a police officer might be used and misconstrued to hurt you or someone else. Also keep in mind that lying to a federal agent is a Federal crime. “That’s why Martha Stewart went to prison, not for insider trading but for lying to a Federal Agent.”
Lies Police Officers Will Say To Get You To Talk
There are many ways a police officer will LIE and trick you into talking. It’s always safe to say the Magic Words: “Am I free to leave? I’m going to remain silent and I want a lawyer.”
The following are common lie’s the police use when they’re trying to get you to talk:
* “You will have to stay here and answer my questions” or “You’re not leaving until I find out what I want to know.”
* “I have evidence on you, so tell me what I want to know or else.” (Police can fabricate fake evidence to convince you to tell them what they want to know.)
* “You’re not a suspect, were simply investigating here. Help us understand what happened and then you may leave.”
* “If you don’t answer my questions, I won’t have any choice but to take you to jail.”
* “If you don’t answer these questions, you’ll be charged with resisting arrest.”
* “Your friend has told his side of the story and it’s not looking good for you, anything you want to tell me?
If The Police Arrest You
“I WILL NOT TALK UNTIL I HAVE A LAWYER!”
* Don’t answer any questions that the police ask you, (except for your name, address and age.) Any other questions the police officer ask you, just say I want to talk to my lawyer.
* Police officers don’t always have to read to you the Miranda Rights after you’ve been arrested. If you “voluntarily” talk a police officer, then the police officer doesn’t have to read your Miranda Rights. Talking to a police officer at anytime can be very dangerous!
* Never talk to other jail inmates about your case.
* Within a reasonable time after your arrest or booking, you have the right to make a local phone call to a lawyer, bail bondsman, relative or any other person you choose. The police can’t listen in on phone call, if you’re talking to your lawyer.
* If you’re on probation or parole tell your P.O. you’ve been arrested and say nothing else!
http://policecrimes.com/police.html
Follow6 Responses to What makes a police officer powerless? A well informed citizen who knows their rights!
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T
August 19, 2013 at 1:04 pm
very interesting article. does this apply to the UK aswel?
Giles D Wilderbeast
November 26, 2013 at 11:16 pm
I’m not a legal expert. And I also would like a straight answer to the same question. However, I am finding it very difficult to get any straight answers on line about standing up for oneself when confronted by uk law enforcers. Having said that and given that most things in this article seem to refer to the USA I have read on a the website http://www.flexyourrights.org that basically US law is based on British and commonwealth law or basically that they are similar if not the same. Definitely I would refer you to that website and in particular their answer to your question if US citizen practices when dealing with law enforcement can also be applied to uk citizens.
Giles D Wilderbeast
November 26, 2013 at 11:19 pm
To rephrase the last part of my previous comment: Definitely I would refer you to that website and in particular their answer to your question if US citizen practices when dealing with law enforcement can also be applied/used by uk citizens when dealing with uk law enforcers.
David Johnson
January 3, 2014 at 1:14 pm
This does not apply to the UK, an officer can search you if he/she has reasonable suspicion of an offence with or without your permission, alternatively high ranking officers can authorise stop and search on large scale events such as the recently held olympics. On the latter if you refuse a search you are simply not allowed to enter the venue and no further action would be taken.
Silence can also imply guilt in the UK in limited circumstances, google search ‘Adverse inferences from silence’.
I do not know much about US law and from this article it appears there are some interesting differences.
john
January 28, 2014 at 5:26 pm
See, this is a british website with articles like this one for the american system. get with it
Reality Bytes
January 28, 2014 at 5:29 pm
The same laws apply