Don't Talk to Cops

**hoosierarcher** · 06-28-2010, 07:39 PM

Never say anything to a law enforcement official other than, "Hello." If they start asking you questions say, "I regret this but I can not and will not answer your questions without a lawyer working for me present." No matter what the circumstances. Including any serious traffic stop. Don't ask "Why have I been stopped?" Just say the above.
Even if you are a witness to a crime DO NOT talk to law enforcement without a lawyer working for you present. Most especially if they have a prosecuting attorney present make sure you say only the above.
Yes it will cost you money but better to pay it then the costs you might incur without legal representation. I didn't make the world this way; but these lessons were learned the hard way.

**BENESSE** · 06-28-2010, 07:53 PM

Here's an excerpt from a letter I found compelling especially because it was written by a police officer:

"As a police officer I can give you the following advice:
1) Don't let me in your house unless I have a warrant. If I have a warrant, don't resist my entry.

2) Do not consent, in writing or verbally, to a search of your person, vehicle or residence. No matter what I promise, no matter what I threaten. If I had probable cause for a search, I'd be doing it. If I am asking for your consent, it's because I am on a fishing expedition or because I don't have probable cause yet.

3) Don't try to explain. If the police are there, something has gone wrong or something bad has happened. If something has gone wrong or something bad has happened, then you probably need a lawyer.

4) There are hundreds of petty laws I can arrest you for, If you aren't in handcuffs, don't give me a reason to put them on you. Once I arrest you, my ability to search you and your property generally increases.

5) If you are having problems with trespassers or something similar, document it. Call the police and record the time and result. Keep calling. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Contact your elected representatives (local/municipal/county etc). Find others who are having the same problem and attend community meetings. Request an appointment with the police commander or tour chief responsible for your area. Address your concerns in a professional, calm manner.

6) Even if the police are wrong and you are being victimized by them, do not make matters worse by resisting/fighting etc etc.

7) Video and audio recording devices are cheap, small and getting cheaper and smaller all the time. They come in handy.

8) The police are not your friend. The police are doing a job. The police want to go home at night. The police will do what benefits the police, not what benefits you.
(the biggest surprise to me!)

9) Know the law. Know your rights. Know your lawyer's phone number. Just remember, one thing police really, really dislike is being lectured by someone claiming to know their rights, claiming to know the law. More often than not, someone who is screaming "I know my rights!" is wrong. - Tom M.

The full write-up here: http://www.survivalblog.com/2010/06/...versus_th.html

**Ken** · 06-28-2010, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by BENESSE

Here's an excerpt from a letter I found compelling especially because it was written by a police officer:

8) The police are not your friend. (the biggest surprise to me!)

Why was that a surprise? That's the title of my lecture.

**BENESSE** · 06-28-2010, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by Ken

Why was that a surprise? That's the title of my lecture.

Having always been a law-abiding/LE-respecting citizen with nothing to hide, that concept is hard to accept.
I get it, but I can't help being somewhat disenchanted about it. Sounds like something that happens only in third world countries.

**2dumb2kwit** · 06-28-2010, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by BENESSE

Having always been a law-abiding/LE-respecting citizen with nothing to hide, that concept is hard to accept.
I get it, but I can't help being somewhat disenchanted about it. Sounds like something that happens only in third world countries.

There are a couple of things, to keep in mind. First, just because they have a badge, doesn't mean that they are "good". Cops are just like any other group of people......some are good and some are not. Second, you have to keep in mind, that most cops deal with the lowest forms of life, day in and day out. I'm afraid to say that a lot of them start to think that everyone is a piece of garbage.

I'm not saying these things, to disrespect LEO's....in fact, I feel sorry for most of them. It's just that I have known a lot of LEO's and have seen it many times. Even the good ones can become very jaded.

**huntermj** · 06-28-2010, 09:18 PM

I used to have a link to a good read on police intergation, sorry cant find it now. But do a search on it and you find the intergation starts when the nice officer walks up to your window and ask's " do you know why i pulled you over?" Hes trying to get you to confess to what ever he can. Around here the next questions are " have you been drinking?, where are you coming from? and where are you going? There are several good reasons to ask these questions, from the persepective of the police. There gageing your leval of cooperation, watching your manerisims and possibly connecting you with an earlier crime in the area your coming from and if your real nervese you may just screw up and answer yes to the drinking question. Or maybe im just being parinoid.

**Justin Case** · 06-28-2010, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by huntermj

I used to have a link to a good read on police intergation, sorry cant find it now. But do a search on it and you find the intergation starts when the nice officer walks up to your window and ask's " do you know why i pulled you over?" Hes trying to get you to confess to what ever he can. Around here the next questions are " have you been drinking?, where are you coming from? and where are you going? There are several good reasons to ask these questions, from the persepective of the police. There gageing your leval of cooperation, watching your manerisims and possibly connecting you with an earlier crime in the area your coming from and if your real nervese you may just screw up and answer yes to the drinking question. Or maybe im just being parinoid.

No, I think you Nailed it ! Thats exactly what they are trained to do .