Know Your Rights

Tips for dealing with cops if you are stopped for questioning:

Stay calm. Don’t run. Don’t argue, resist or obstruct the police, even if you are innocent or police are violating your rights. Keep your hands where police can see them.
Ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, calmly & silently walk away. If you are under arrest, you have a right to know why. Ask “Am I being detained?” If you are not, leave. You do not have to provide ID if you are in a “casual conversation” with police. Ask to leave often.

Do not talk to the police or answer questions. You are never required to talk to police. Anything you say can be used against you. If requested to do anything, clarify you will if it’s “an order.”
You have the right to remain silent and cannot be punished for refusing to answer questions. If you wish to remain silent, tell the officer out loud.

Never consent to searches. A cop can only search you, or your property, without your consent if they have a warrant or a “reasonable suspicion” of a crime. Even if they search you, be sure to make them aware you do not consent.

IF YOU ARE ARRESTED:
Do not resist arrest, even if you believe the arrest is unfair.
Say you wish to remain silent and ask for a lawyer immediately. Don’t give any explanations or excuses. If you can’t pay for a lawyer, you have the right to a free one. Don’t say anything, sign anything or make any decisions without
a lawyer. You have the right to make a local phone call. The police cannot listen if you call
a lawyer.

Prepare yourself and your family in case you are arrested. Memorize the phone numbers of your family and your lawyer. Make emergency plans if you have children or take medication.

IF YOU FEEL YOUR RIGHTS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED:
Remember: police misconduct cannot be challenged on the street. Don’t physically resist officers or threaten to file a complaint.

Write down everything you remember, including officers’ badge and patrol car numbers, which agency the officers were from, and any other details. Get contact information for witnesses. If you are injured, take photographs of your injuries (but seek medical attention first).

File a written complaint with the agency’s internal affairs division or civilian complaint board. In most cases, you can file a complaint anonymously if you wish.
www.aclu.org/profiling
www.copblock.org
www.berkeleycopwatch.org
www.flexyourrights.org
www.wecopwatch.org
www.infoshop.org/CopsPortal