Follow these simple rules:
Do not argue with the police. You will LOSE and can be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor.
Never resist your arrest. You will LOSE and can be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.
Do not run away. You will LOSE and can be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.
Never resist the arrest of another person. You will LOSE and can be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.
Throwing things away like weapons or drugs when the police want to question you is a crime in itself.
Use a password on your phone, NOT a finger print or facial recognition. The police can not force you to tell them your password without a warrant but they CAN force your finger across the sensor.
If you are approached by the police:
1. STOP
Make eye contact with them.
If your hands cannot be seen, DO NOT MOVE YOUR HANDS but ask the officer what he wants you to do with your hands.
If your hands can be seen, keep them that way. If you are in a car, keep your hands on the wheel until the officer tells you otherwise.
If you are in a car, stay there unless he tells you to get out of it.
Do NOT reach for anything anywhere until a policeman tells you and then confirm that you are doing what he said.
If you are pulled over, do not reach under you seat, in your back pocket, or in your purse just because you were pulled you over. Wait for the officer to come to the car. He will ask to see your license, insurance, and registration. Tell him WHERE those things are and ask him if he wants you to get them now.
2. WARN
If you have any legal weapon (for instance a pocket knife) on you or in your car, tell him immediately.
If you have an open-carry firearm on you, tell him immediately.
If you have a CCW license tell him immediately.
If you have a weapon of questionable legality (for instance a hunting knife) DO NOT REACH FOR IT. Telling the officer where a weapon is will help to keep you safe from the officer's overreaction but if your weapon is illegal it may result in a criminal charge; that is your call. But it's probably best if you do not keep potentially illegal weapons with you.
3. BE POLITE
Keep calm.
Keep your voice down.
Do not act angry, outraged, or offended.
DO NOT SWEAR OR CALL NAMES.
Do not whine.
Be a dignified grown-up.
Answer the officer's questions regarding your name, address, and birth-date immediately and without question. He has the right to this information and can arrest you if you refuse.
Ask his permission before doing anything.
Smile. It's hard, but smile.
4. COOPERATE
If he wants to handcuff you, let him. He is going to succeed eventually and the longer it takes him the greater the risk that you will be injured or charged with additional offenses.
If he doesn't tell you why he is arresting or stopping you, let it go. He doesn't have to and it will only cause more trouble for you, not the officer.
5. SHUT UP
Ask him if you are free to go. If you are, leave quietly and SHUT UP.
If you are not, tell him that you want to speak with an attorney and will not answer ANY questions without an attorney. Then SHUT UP.
Repeat your request for an attorney and your refusal to talk every time he or any other officer questions you. Then SHUT UP.
Again:
Do not argue with the police.
Never resist your arrest.
Do not run away.
Never resist the arrest of another person.
Throwing things away like weapons or drugs is a crime.
SHUT UP.
Do not argue with the police. You will LOSE and can be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor.
Never resist your arrest. You will LOSE and can be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.
Do not run away. You will LOSE and can be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.
Never resist the arrest of another person. You will LOSE and can be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.
Throwing things away like weapons or drugs when the police want to question you is a crime in itself.
Use a password on your phone, NOT a finger print or facial recognition. The police can not force you to tell them your password without a warrant but they CAN force your finger across the sensor.
If you are approached by the police:
1. STOP
Make eye contact with them.
If your hands cannot be seen, DO NOT MOVE YOUR HANDS but ask the officer what he wants you to do with your hands.
If your hands can be seen, keep them that way. If you are in a car, keep your hands on the wheel until the officer tells you otherwise.
If you are in a car, stay there unless he tells you to get out of it.
Do NOT reach for anything anywhere until a policeman tells you and then confirm that you are doing what he said.
If you are pulled over, do not reach under you seat, in your back pocket, or in your purse just because you were pulled you over. Wait for the officer to come to the car. He will ask to see your license, insurance, and registration. Tell him WHERE those things are and ask him if he wants you to get them now.
2. WARN
If you have any legal weapon (for instance a pocket knife) on you or in your car, tell him immediately.
If you have an open-carry firearm on you, tell him immediately.
If you have a CCW license tell him immediately.
If you have a weapon of questionable legality (for instance a hunting knife) DO NOT REACH FOR IT. Telling the officer where a weapon is will help to keep you safe from the officer's overreaction but if your weapon is illegal it may result in a criminal charge; that is your call. But it's probably best if you do not keep potentially illegal weapons with you.
3. BE POLITE
Keep calm.
Keep your voice down.
Do not act angry, outraged, or offended.
DO NOT SWEAR OR CALL NAMES.
Do not whine.
Be a dignified grown-up.
Answer the officer's questions regarding your name, address, and birth-date immediately and without question. He has the right to this information and can arrest you if you refuse.
Ask his permission before doing anything.
Smile. It's hard, but smile.
4. COOPERATE
If he wants to handcuff you, let him. He is going to succeed eventually and the longer it takes him the greater the risk that you will be injured or charged with additional offenses.
If he doesn't tell you why he is arresting or stopping you, let it go. He doesn't have to and it will only cause more trouble for you, not the officer.
5. SHUT UP
Ask him if you are free to go. If you are, leave quietly and SHUT UP.
If you are not, tell him that you want to speak with an attorney and will not answer ANY questions without an attorney. Then SHUT UP.
Repeat your request for an attorney and your refusal to talk every time he or any other officer questions you. Then SHUT UP.
Again:
Do not argue with the police.
Never resist your arrest.
Do not run away.
Never resist the arrest of another person.
Throwing things away like weapons or drugs is a crime.
SHUT UP.
