Police officers have an obvious psychological advantage in any confrontation. They wear uniforms, talk loudly and carry guns.
Much of their apparent authority is derived from officers’ assumption that the public is ignorant of its legal rights and easily intimidated.
There are five legal rights in particular that police officers do not want you to know.
* A police officer cannot agree to drop charges in exchange for your cooperation. He or she simply doesn’t have the authority. The district attorney and the judge make those decisions. This is helpful to remember when the officer says they will go easier on you if you lead them to the victim’s body.
* You have the right to say no. For example:
Officer: “May I search your car?”
You: “No.”
Officer: “May I come in?”
You: “No.”
Officer: “While we’re waiting for your attorney, would you answer a few questions so we can save some time?”
You: “No.”
* You don’t have to go to the police station to give a statement. Unless the police officer shows up with an arrest warrant, or arrests you on the spot (think DWI), you don’t have to go anywhere at an officer’s request.
* From the time of first contact with a police officer, you should assume that you are being recorded. Stopping your car by the side of the road, talking on the phone at the police station, being fingerprinted, standing in the corner of a room in the station waiting for the officer to return — these are all potentially embarrassing moments that will be replayed in glorious Technicolor for a jury.
* No matter how much you are provoked, you don’t ever want to give the least hint of physical resistance. No kicking, spitting, hitting, cussing, slapping a hand away — or even looking like you are about to do any of those things. An officer’s wrongdoing will be subsumed by your aggressive action.
No comments:
Post a Comment