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Below is a cache of http://namiyolo.org/Whattodostoppedbypolice.pdf. It's a snapshot of the page taken as our search engine crawled the Web.
The web site itself may have changed. You can check the current page or check for previous versions at the Internet Archive. Yahoo! is not affiliated with the authors of this page or responsible for its content. What To Do If Youre Stopped By The Police What To Do If Youre Stopped By The Police KEEP THIS CARD HANDY! IF YOU HAVE A POLICE ENCOUNTER, YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF. Be polite and respectful. Never bad-mouth a police officer. Stay calm and in control of your words, body language and emotions. Dont get into an argument with the police. Remember, anything you say or do can be used against you. Keep your hands where the police can see them. Dont run. Dont touch any police officer. Dont resist even if you believe you are innocent. Dont complain on the scene or tell the police theyre wrong or that youre going to file a complaint. Do not make any statements regarding the incident. Ask for a lawyer immediately upon your arrest. Remember officers badge & patrol card numbers. Write down everything you remember ASAP. Try to find witnesses & their names & phone numbers. If you are injured, take photographs of the injuries as soon as possible, but make sure you seek medical attention first. If you feel your rights have been violated, file a written complaint
with police departments internal affairs division or civilian complaint
board.
1. What you say to the police is always important. What you say can be used against
you, and it can give the police an excuse to arrest you, especially if you bad-mouth a
police officer.
2. You dont have to answer a police officers questions, but you must show your
drivers license and registration when stopped in a car. In other situations, you cant
legally be arrested for refusing to identify yourself to a police officer.
3. You dont have to consent to any search of yourself, your car or your house. If you
DO consent to a search, it can affect your rights later in court. If the police say they
have a search warrant, ASK TO SEE IT.
4. Do not interfere with, or obstruct the police you can be arrested for it.
We all recognize the need for effective law enforcement, but we should also
understand our own rights and responsibilities especially in our relationships with
the police. Everyone, including minors, has the right to courteous and respectful
police treatment. If your rights are violated, dont try to deal with the situation at the
scene. You can discuss the matter with an attorney afterwards, or file a complaint
with the Internal Affairs or Civilian Complaint Board.
Produced by the American Civil Liberties Union. www.aclu.org ACLU of Utah (801) 521-9862 / www.acluutah.org / aclu@xmission.com IN YOUR HOME 1. If the police knock and ask to enter your home, you dont have to admit them
unless they have a warrant signed by a judge.
2. However, in some emergency situations (like when a person is screaming for help
inside, or when the police are chasing someone) officers are allowed to enter and
search your home without a warrant.
3. If you are arrested, the police can search you and the area close by. If you are in a
building, close by usually means just the room you are in.
4. Sometimes you can be released without bail, or have bail lowered. Have your
lawyer ask the judge about this possibility. You must be taken before the judge on the
next court day after arrest.
5. Do not make any decisions in your case until you have talked with a lawyer. IF YOURE STOPPED IN YOUR CAR 1. Upon request, show them your drivers license, registration, and proof of insurance.
In certain cases, your car can be searched without a warrant as long as the police
have probable cause. To protect yourself later, you should make it clear that you do
not consent to a search. It is not lawful for police to arrest you simply for refusing to
consent to a search.
2. If youre given a ticket, you should sign it; otherwise you can be arrested. You can
always fight the case in court later.
3. If youre suspected of drunk driving (DWI) and refuse to take a blood, urine or
breath test, your drivers license may be suspended.
IF YOURE ARRESTED OR TAKEN TO A POLICE STATION 1. You have the right to remain silent and to talk to a lawyer before you talk to the
police. Tell the police nothing except your name and address. Dont give any
explanations, excuses or stories. You can make your defense later, in court, based on
what you and your lawyer decide is best.
2. Ask to see a lawyer immediately. If you cant pay for a lawyer, you have a right to a
free one, and should ask the police how the lawyer can be contacted.
Dont say anything without a lawyer.
3. Within a reasonable time after your arrest, or booking, you have the right to make a
local phone call: to a lawyer, bail bondsman, a relative or any other person. The
police may not listen to the call to the lawyer.
IF YOU ARE STOPPED FOR QUESTIONING 1. Its not a crime to refuse to answer questions, but refusing to answer can make the
police suspicious about you. You cant be arrested merely for refusing
to identify yourself on the street.
2. Police may pat-down your clothing if they suspect a concealed weapon. Dont
physically resist, but make it clear that you dont consent to any further search.
3. Ask if you are under arrest. If you are, you have a right to know why.
4. Dont bad-mouth the police officer or run away, even if you believe what is
happening is unreasonable. That could lead to your arrest.
The web site itself may have changed. You can check the current page or check for previous versions at the Internet Archive. Yahoo! is not affiliated with the authors of this page or responsible for its content. What To Do If Youre Stopped By The Police What To Do If Youre Stopped By The Police KEEP THIS CARD HANDY! IF YOU HAVE A POLICE ENCOUNTER, YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF. Be polite and respectful. Never bad-mouth a police officer. Stay calm and in control of your words, body language and emotions. Dont get into an argument with the police. Remember, anything you say or do can be used against you. Keep your hands where the police can see them. Dont run. Dont touch any police officer. Dont resist even if you believe you are innocent. Dont complain on the scene or tell the police theyre wrong or that youre going to file a complaint. Do not make any statements regarding the incident. Ask for a lawyer immediately upon your arrest. Remember officers badge & patrol card numbers. Write down everything you remember ASAP. Try to find witnesses & their names & phone numbers. If you are injured, take photographs of the injuries as soon as possible, but make sure you seek medical attention first. If you feel your rights have been violated, file a written complaint
with police departments internal affairs division or civilian complaint
board.
1. What you say to the police is always important. What you say can be used against
you, and it can give the police an excuse to arrest you, especially if you bad-mouth a
police officer.
2. You dont have to answer a police officers questions, but you must show your
drivers license and registration when stopped in a car. In other situations, you cant
legally be arrested for refusing to identify yourself to a police officer.
3. You dont have to consent to any search of yourself, your car or your house. If you
DO consent to a search, it can affect your rights later in court. If the police say they
have a search warrant, ASK TO SEE IT.
4. Do not interfere with, or obstruct the police you can be arrested for it.
We all recognize the need for effective law enforcement, but we should also
understand our own rights and responsibilities especially in our relationships with
the police. Everyone, including minors, has the right to courteous and respectful
police treatment. If your rights are violated, dont try to deal with the situation at the
scene. You can discuss the matter with an attorney afterwards, or file a complaint
with the Internal Affairs or Civilian Complaint Board.
Produced by the American Civil Liberties Union. www.aclu.org ACLU of Utah (801) 521-9862 / www.acluutah.org / aclu@xmission.com IN YOUR HOME 1. If the police knock and ask to enter your home, you dont have to admit them
unless they have a warrant signed by a judge.
2. However, in some emergency situations (like when a person is screaming for help
inside, or when the police are chasing someone) officers are allowed to enter and
search your home without a warrant.
3. If you are arrested, the police can search you and the area close by. If you are in a
building, close by usually means just the room you are in.
4. Sometimes you can be released without bail, or have bail lowered. Have your
lawyer ask the judge about this possibility. You must be taken before the judge on the
next court day after arrest.
5. Do not make any decisions in your case until you have talked with a lawyer. IF YOURE STOPPED IN YOUR CAR 1. Upon request, show them your drivers license, registration, and proof of insurance.
In certain cases, your car can be searched without a warrant as long as the police
have probable cause. To protect yourself later, you should make it clear that you do
not consent to a search. It is not lawful for police to arrest you simply for refusing to
consent to a search.
2. If youre given a ticket, you should sign it; otherwise you can be arrested. You can
always fight the case in court later.
3. If youre suspected of drunk driving (DWI) and refuse to take a blood, urine or
breath test, your drivers license may be suspended.
IF YOURE ARRESTED OR TAKEN TO A POLICE STATION 1. You have the right to remain silent and to talk to a lawyer before you talk to the
police. Tell the police nothing except your name and address. Dont give any
explanations, excuses or stories. You can make your defense later, in court, based on
what you and your lawyer decide is best.
2. Ask to see a lawyer immediately. If you cant pay for a lawyer, you have a right to a
free one, and should ask the police how the lawyer can be contacted.
Dont say anything without a lawyer.
3. Within a reasonable time after your arrest, or booking, you have the right to make a
local phone call: to a lawyer, bail bondsman, a relative or any other person. The
police may not listen to the call to the lawyer.
IF YOU ARE STOPPED FOR QUESTIONING 1. Its not a crime to refuse to answer questions, but refusing to answer can make the
police suspicious about you. You cant be arrested merely for refusing
to identify yourself on the street.
2. Police may pat-down your clothing if they suspect a concealed weapon. Dont
physically resist, but make it clear that you dont consent to any further search.
3. Ask if you are under arrest. If you are, you have a right to know why.
4. Dont bad-mouth the police officer or run away, even if you believe what is
happening is unreasonable. That could lead to your arrest.
