[OrganicsKid]

When dealing with the police, keep your hands in view and don't make sudden movements. Avoid passing behind them. Nervous cops are dangerous cops. Also, never touch the police or their equipment (vehicles, flashlights, animals, etc.) - you can get beat up and charged with assault.

The police do not decide your charges; they can only make recommendations. The prosecutor is the only person who can actually charge you. Remember this the next time the cops start rattling off all the charges they're supposedly "going to give you."

Questioning

Interrogation isn't always bright lights and rubber hoses - usually it's just a conversation. Whenever the cops ask you anything besides your name and address, it's legally safest to (respectfully) say these Magic Words:

"I am going to remain silent. I want to see a lawyer."

This invokes the rights which protect you from interrogation. When you say this, the cops (and all other law enforcement officials) are legally required to stop asking you questions. They probably won't stop, so just repeat the Magic Words or remain silent until they catch on.

Remember, anything you say to the authorities can and will be used against you and your friends in court. There's no way to predict what information the police might try to use or how they'd use it. Plus, the police often misquote or lie altogether about what was said. So say only the Magic Words and let all the cops and witnesses know that this is your policy. Make sure that when you're arrested with other people, the rest of the group knows the Magic Words and promises to use them.

One of the jobs of cops is to get information out of people, and they usually don't have any scruples about how they do it. Cops are legally allowed to lie when they're investigating, and they are trained to be manipulative. The only thing you should say to cops, other than identifying yourself, is the Magic Words: "I am going to remain silent. I want to see a lawyer."

Here are some lies they will tell you:

"You're not a suspect - just help us understand what happened here and then you can go."

"If you don't answer my questions, I'll have no choice but to arrest you. Do you want to go to jail?"

"If you don't answer my questions, I'm going to charge you with resisting arrest."

"All of your friends have cooperated and we let them go home. You're the only one left."

Cops are sneaky buggers and there are lots of ways they can trick you into talking. Here are some scams they'll pull:

Good Cop/ Bad Cop: Bad cop is aggressive and menacing, while good cop is nice, friendly, and familiar (usually good cop is the same race and gender as you). The idea is bad cop scares you so bad you are desperately looking for a friend. Good cop is that friend.

The cops will tell you that your friends ratted on you so that you will snitch on them. Meanwhile, they tell your friends the same thing. If anyone breaks and talks, you all go down.

The cops will tell you that they have all the evidence they need to convict you and that if you "take responsibility" and confess the judge will be impressed by your honesty and go easy on you. What they really mean is: "we don't have enough evidence yet, please confess."

Jail is a very isolating and intimidating place. It is really easy to believe what the cops tell you. Insist upon speaking with a lawyer before you answer any questions or sign anything.

The Golden Rule: Never trust a cop.

The Miranda Warnings

The police do not have to read you your rights (also known as the Miranda warnings). Miranda applies when there is (a) an interrogation (b) by a police officer of other agent of law enforcement (c) while the suspect is in police custody (you do not have to be formally arrested to be "in custody"). Even when all these conditions are met, the police intentionally violate Miranda. And though your rights have been violated, what you say can be used against you. For this reason, it is better not to wait for the cops â¤" you know what your rights are, so you can invoke them by saying the Magic Words, "I am going to remain silent. I want to see a lawyer."

If you've been arrested and realize that you have started answering questions, don't panic. Just re-invoke your rights by saying the Magic Words again. Don't let them trick you into thinking that because you answered some of their questions, you have to answer all of them.

Police Encounters

There are three basic types of encounters with the police: Conversation, Detention, and Arrest.

Conversation

When the cops are trying to get information, but don't have enough evidence to detain or arrest you, they'll try to weasel some information out of you. They may call this a "casual encounter" or a "friendly conversation". If you talk to them, you may give them the information they need to arrest you or your friends. In most situations, it's better and safer not to talk to cops.

Detention

Police can detain you only if they have reasonable suspicion (see below) that you are involved in a crime. Detention means that, though you aren't arrested, you can't leave. Detention is supposed to last a short time and they aren't supposed to move you. During detention, the police can pat you down and go into your bag to make sure you don't have any weapons. They aren't supposed to go into your pockets unless they feel a weapon.

If the police are asking questions, ask if you are being detained. If not, leave and say nothing else to them. If you are being detained, you may want to ask why. Then you should say the Magic Words: "I am going to remain silent. I want a lawyer" and nothing else.

A detention can easily turn into arrest. If the police are detaining you and they get information that you are involved in a crime, they will arrest you, even if it has nothing to do with your detention. For example, if someone gets pulled over for speeding (detained) and the cop sees drugs in the car, the cops will arrest her for possession of the drugs even though it has nothing to do with her getting pulled over. Cops have two reasons to detain you: 1) they are writing you a citation (a traffic ticket, for example), or 2) they want to arrest you but they don't have enough information yet to do so.

Arrest

Police can arrest you only if they have probable cause (see below) that you are involved in a crime. When you are arrested, the cops can search you to the skin and go through you car and any belongings. By law, an officer strip searching you must be the same gender as you.

If the police come to your door with an arrest warrant, go outside and lock the door behind you. Cops are allowed to search any room you go into, so don't go back into the house for any reason. If they have an arrest warrant, hiding won't help because they are allowed to force their way in if they know you are there. It's usually better to just go with them without giving them an opportunity to search.

Reasonable Suspicion vs. Probable Cause

Reasonable suspicion must be based on more than a hunch - cops must be able to put their suspicion into words. For example, cops can't just stop someone and say, "She looked like she was up to something." They need to be more specific, like, "She was standing under the overpass staring up at some graffiti that hadn't been there 2 hours ago. She had the same graffiti pattern written on her backpack. I suspected that she had put up the graffiti."

Cops need more proof to say they have a probable cause than to say they have a reasonable suspicion. For example, "A store owner called to report someone matching her description tagging a wall across the street. As I drove up to the store, I saw her running away spattered with paint and carrying a spray can in her hand."

Searches

Never consent to a search! If the police try to search your house, car, backpack, pockets, etc. say the Magic Words 2: "I do not consent to this search." This may not stop them from forcing their way in and searching anyway, but if they search you illegally, they probably won't be able to use the evidence against you in court. You have nothing to lose from refusing to consent to a search and lots to gain. Do not physically resist cops when they are trying to search because you could get hurt and charged with resisting arrest or assault. Just keep repeating the Magic Words 2 so that the cops and all witnesses know that this is your policy.

Be careful about casual consent. That is, if you are stopped by the cops and you get out of the car but don't close the door, they can search the car and claim that they though you were indicating consent by leaving the door ajar. Also, if you say, "I'd rather you didn't search," they can claim that you were reluctantly giving them permission to search. Always just say the Magic Words 2: "I do not consent to this search."

If the cops have a search warrant, nothing changes - it's legally safest to just say the Magic Words 2. Again, you have nothing to lose from refusing to consent to a search, and lots to gain if the search warrant is incorrect or invalid in some way. If they do have a search warrant, ask to read it. A valid warrant must have a recent date (usually not more than a couple of weeks), the correct address, and a judge's or magistrate's signature; some warrants indicate the time of day the cops can search. You should say the Magic Words 2 whether or not the search warrant appears correct. The same goes for any government official who tries to search you, your belongings, or your house.

Infiltrators and Informants

Undercover cops sometimes infiltrate political organizations. They can lie about being cops even if asked directly. Undercover cops can even break the law (narcs get hazard pay for doing drugs as part of their cover) and encourage others to do so as well. This is not legally entrapment.

FBI and other government agents

The essence of the Magic Words "I'm keeping my mouth shut until I talk to a lawyer" not only applies to police but also to the FBI, INS, CIA, even IRS. If you want to be nice and polite, tell them that you don't wish to speak with them until you've spoken with your lawyer, or that you won't answer questions without a lawyer present. If you are being investigated as a result of your political activity, you can call the National Lawyers Guild at (415) 582-1055; they will help you find a lawyer you can talk to.

Taking Notes

Whenever you interact with or observe the police, always write down what is said and who said it. Write down the cops' names and badge numbers and the names and contact information of any witnesses. Record everything that happens. If you are expecting a lot of police contact, get in the habit of carrying a small tape recorder and a camera with you. Be careful - cops don't like people taking notes, especially if the cops are planning on doing something illegal. Observing them and documenting their actions may have very different results; for example, it may cause them to respond aggressively, or it may prevent them from abusing you or your friends.

Conclusion

People deal with police in all kinds of circumstances. You must make an individual decision about how you will interact with law enforcement. It is important to know your legal rights, but it is also important for you to decide when and how to use them in order to best protect yourself

[Huey69]

Wow. Great post.

[noab]

Originally Posted by OrganicsKid

If you are being investigated as a result of your political activity, you can call the National Lawyers Guild at (415) 582-1055; they will help you find a lawyer you can talk to.

Excellent post!

Thank you!

What is meant my "political activity". Can you give a few examples?

[squatter420]

The intent of that portionm is for activists that have been approached by LE about their political activities or past associations. It is in anticipation of Grand Juries and other investigations. This was originally written for another movement. In our case it would be best to contact ASA if this type of circumstance should arise.

[Damascus]

There is a terrific video that also addresses this topic.

"Don't Talk to the Police" by Professor James Duane

[Dopey892]

Perhaps it's best to title this-

When dealing with the police after you've been pulled over or something similar.

I see police all the time. I smile and usually say hello. Sometimes I thank them for what they are doing.

Not all police want to lock us up. Some of them do actually want to stop real criminals.

Very informative post on how to act after you've "been caught for something,"

but the whole stigma that all police are bad is just not correct. We need more cops like that guy in San Francisco with his puppet.

But thank you for that informative post on how to best deal with LEO in those situations.

But I don't really think ALL police are "sneaky buggers."

[sandyacres]

There's a video on Youtube called Busted, The Citizens Guide To Surviving Police Encounters.

This was a recommendation from another thread along this same line. I watched the video and it was particularly helpful in terms of information and conducting yourself during a police interaction. It was put together by the former head of the national ACLU and is very well done.

Peace.

[The Urban Spaceman]

Originally Posted by sandyacres

There's a video on Youtube called Busted, The Citizens Guide To Surviving Police Encounters.

This was a recommendation from another thread along this same line. I watched the video and it was particularly helpful in terms of information and conducting yourself during a police interaction. It was put together by the former head of the national ACLU and is very well done.

Peace.

and it is an excellent video... this was recommended by ASA i think during the Know Your Rights meeting... or maybe it was Resipsa who suggested it... but in any event it is really good.

[ASA Field]

Thanks for posting this important guide. ASA has created something similar but more specifically related to medical cannabis in our legal manual, which you can read at www.americansforsafeaccess.org/legalmanual

[jimichunga]

[trendwhoretm]

Very informational! Greatly appreciated.

[early mornin stoned pimp]

Originally Posted by ASA Field

Thanks for posting this important guide. ASA has created something similar but more specifically related to medical cannabis in our legal manual, which you can read at www.americansforsafeaccess.org/legalmanual

And they have a downloadable PDF version! Perfect!
ASA, this is exactly what I've been looking for. There's lots of info on there on how to deal with LEOs, usually assuming you're trying to hide something, but not a lot of info on how to deal with something tricky like CA-legal but Fed-illegal MMJ.

ASA, I <3 you more and more every day . Please let me know where I can send money

Now excuse me while I try to figure out how to view it on my blackberry! ASA Legal Manual in my pocket!

-emsp

[Cool Cat]

I was passenger during a pull over recently. Cop immediately suspected I used marijuana. He asked for it. I"Can I see it? I want to smell it and see how much you got." I said; "Noooo. But you may see my medical marijuana recommendation." He thanked me for my honesty and let me go. A caregiver I know got pulled over in the same spot. He got his shit yanked and is going to court. He did not know how to assert his rights. I had in my possession, Bill Lockyer's legislative intent that clearly states flower and concentrates are acceptable use, plus I had my rec, and I had my summary medical records for proof of my need. Of course, I know the law. ...the caregiver is young and did not. I'll show him how to present his case. The court will have to drop the charges.

If you have your paperwork readily available, show that to the cop first. DO NOT hand them your meds. They may confiscate it and be rude and make you go to court because they're trying to justify their jobs, which is pathetic. Cops have had over a decade to comply with and learn the law. As I heard a judge once say to some poor soul; "Ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law." If a cop harasses you, take them to court for harassing your while you were engaging in your protected class right to consume medical marijuana within the state of California under prop 215. You can sue them for out of pocket expenses and all costs associated with the harassment.

Californians were smart enough to enact the Compassionate Use Act, but are not reading the law in many cases.

If I didn't have my paperwork with me, or if I was engaged in a non-protected activity such as smoking a joint outside and within 1,000 feet of a school, or if I were too intoxicated, I would have been ticketed, possibly put in jail, but definitely in front of a judge, it's in the law. You can be ticketed without a card or rec. But, you have the right to assert a medical marijuana defense and that you cannot be denied of in a California court, if you are within the law.

I've had cops in my home too. No problems, with the paperwork. I would not be blasting music or creating a disturbance anywhere near meds either.

Of course, don't lie or volunteer any information. If they are gonna search you, let them know "I do not consent to any searches. I would like to talk to a lawyer." And don't say another word. I got a card I keep from a lawyer that clearly invokes my rights and provides a 24-hour contact number.

But, that doesn't stop an asshole from being an asshole.

You never know.