Know Your Rights While Stopped By Police

We all get stressed out when the police stop us. Nobody wants to be in these situations, yet there comes a time when we have to face these. In this post, we will teach you basic rights and help you protect yourself in a critical situation. Staying calm and composed is the key to facing any adversity. That way, you can minimize some risk.

If you have already faced situations like these and had a terrible experience, you should look for an experienced person (like a tax attorney in Santa Monica) who can guide you through the complexity of laws and your rights. Read the full write-up to learn your rights and how you can protect yourself using US law.

What Are My Rights If The Police Stop Me?

It is common to have stopped by police for no reason. Here are some of your rights that you should know about.

1. According to the law, you have the right to remain silent. It means you are not bound by the law to answer all, in fact, any question. It is not mandatory to answer the questions the policeman is asking. If you want to exercise your right, you can say it aloud.
2. Although the police can search you and your belongings for a possible gun or other stuff, you can disagree. In fact, according to professionals (like an EDD audit lawyer), you should show some discontent if they want to search for you.
3. If the police try to arrest you, the government will be responsible for giving you a lawyer if you can’t afford one.

Do not behave irrationally;there are multiple ways to escape the situation. Keep reading to know more.

If I Am Getting Arrested, Then?

Maybe you are wondering what you should do if the police arrest you. Here are some tips for you-

1. Do not say anything to them; they can use those against you in court. Only tell them you want to remain silent and wish for a professional lawyer immediately. Don’t give any excuse to them; the law does not bind you.
2. Do nothing unless you get your lawyer.
3. According to US law, police should allow you to call on a local number. You can call your lawyer or your closed one. Remember, police can’t listen to your conversation if you are talking to your lawyer.

How To Protect My Rights?

You should write down everything you remember if you think the police are not working by the rules. Badges, car numbers, where they are from and other information. If you have faced physical violence, you should take photographs and visit a medical centre.

Don’t forget to file a written complaint against them in their internal affairs department. According to the law, your identity will be kept secret throughout.

In the case of police brutality, you should try to make yourself safe and stand aside. You can record the situation with your phone, acting as evidence later. No matter what happens, you should know that the law is on your side. If you haven’t done anything wrong, you have nothing to fear.