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Hello friends! I’m your neighborhood criminal defense attorney, here w/ some friendly advice.
If you’re arrested, grabbed, or stopped by police or fed law enforcement . . .
Say: “I’m going to remain SILENT, and I want to speak with a LAWYER.”
Then — actually remain silent.
If you’re arrested, grabbed, or stopped by police or fed law enforcement . . .
Say: “I’m going to remain SILENT, and I want to speak with a LAWYER.”
Then — actually remain silent.
Why, you ask? In my universal experience, you can never talk your way out of an arrest (forgetaboutit) — but you can talk yourself into trouble.
Guess what? You NEVER need to answer law enforcement questions, and it’s straight dangerous to do so without a lawyer.
And I’ll be honest, actually asserting your rights — remaining silent, asking for a lawyer — can feel really hard. It can be terrifying, and you’re not thinking straight.
That’s why you need to practice NOW.
That’s why you need to practice NOW.
Memorize that script, and promise your future self that you will protect them — by remaining silent no matter what, no matter the pressure.
There’s absolutely nothing you’ve got to say in that moment that you can’t say with a lawyer standing by your side, protecting you.
There’s absolutely nothing you’ve got to say in that moment that you can’t say with a lawyer standing by your side, protecting you.
We know today and historically that political repression follows uprisings and movements for social change.
We have a fascist administration, who will undoubtedly run that historical playbook.
But we are strong. And we know how to hold onto the rights we still have.
We have a fascist administration, who will undoubtedly run that historical playbook.
But we are strong. And we know how to hold onto the rights we still have.
You never ever EVER have to answer questions about your political beliefs, associations, and political activity.
First. Amendment. Periodt.
First. Amendment. Periodt.
And guess what else? You never have to let police or agents into your home without a warrant.
Because the Fourth Amendment still exists, you don’t even need to open your door to them.
Vampire analogy: YOU have to invite them in — and good things rarely follow
Because the Fourth Amendment still exists, you don’t even need to open your door to them.
Vampire analogy: YOU have to invite them in — and good things rarely follow
Note on SILENCE — sometimes people think they are totally not saying anything baaaad, so it’s cool to just offer your side, or deny the allegations, or try and talk your way out of it, or answer some peripheral, rando questions.
ARE YOUR LIPS MOVING? Then it’s um not silence
ARE YOUR LIPS MOVING? Then it’s um not silence
Still not convinced? omfg
Lying to federal agents is a fucking felony. Best way not to get charged with lying to law enforcement?
I’d recommend: NOT TALKING.
Lying to federal agents is a fucking felony. Best way not to get charged with lying to law enforcement?
I’d recommend: NOT TALKING.
So, go forth and do beautiful things and start good trouble.
And remind your future self and your community: I’ve got your back.
And remind your future self and your community: I’ve got your back.
P.S. And, by the way, so does @NLGnews. In Chicago @NLGChicago has your back.
Our neon green hats are out there for ya’ll.
Our neon green hats are out there for ya’ll.
Good morning! Time for some follow up KYR.
The above was about what happens once you’re SEIZED by police. But what about before that? When they’ve just stopped you?
ASK: Am I free to leave?
If yes? Gooooo.
If no? You know what to do! SILENCE. LAWYER. Zip it.
The above was about what happens once you’re SEIZED by police. But what about before that? When they’ve just stopped you?
ASK: Am I free to leave?
If yes? Gooooo.
If no? You know what to do! SILENCE. LAWYER. Zip it.
Again — you can’t stop an arrest. If they are going to take you in, that’s what’s happening. Even if it’s unconstitutional! Even if they’re lying! Even if they are being violent.
Invoking your rights won’t stop the arrest. But, it will help you FIGHT it.
Invoking your rights won’t stop the arrest. But, it will help you FIGHT it.
Let’s talk about SEARCHES.
The 4th Amendment requires that police get a WARRANT before searching through your home and your phone.
But, they don’t want to get warrants. Warrants are a pain in the ass.
So, they’ll ask you for consent to search.
My advice? HELL NO.
The 4th Amendment requires that police get a WARRANT before searching through your home and your phone.
But, they don’t want to get warrants. Warrants are a pain in the ass.
So, they’ll ask you for consent to search.
My advice? HELL NO.
What does asking for consent to search look like? “Can I just have a quick look around? Can you unlock your phone for me? Show me what’s in your bag. Can you pop your trunk for me?”
If you agree, you’re consenting to a search. Ack!!! Bub bye 4th Amendment.
If you agree, you’re consenting to a search. Ack!!! Bub bye 4th Amendment.
So, how do you assert your rights and protect your future self when police ask to look through your phone, your car, your home?
SAY: I do NOT CONSENT to any searches.
SAY: I do NOT CONSENT to any searches.
And listen, invoking your rights won’t make clouds part or right injustices.
In fact, law enforcement may totally ignore your rights. Lie to you. Search anyways.
You can’t control them. They have guns and state power.
You assert your rights so you’ve got a fight in court.
In fact, law enforcement may totally ignore your rights. Lie to you. Search anyways.
You can’t control them. They have guns and state power.
You assert your rights so you’ve got a fight in court.
The teeny, tiniest, narrow, limited exception to absolute silence can be giving your name and/or ID to be processed. Check local laws re: what you must give.
And, if you need medical attention or food or are in physical danger, please advocate for yourself and your needs.
And, if you need medical attention or food or are in physical danger, please advocate for yourself and your needs.
What if you don’t have a lawyer?
If you’re in custody in Chicago or suburban Cook County, call 1-800-LAW-REP4, a 24-hour hotline.
Demand a lawyer. In reality, they probably won’t get you one. But, the demand itself triggers constitutional protections.
If you’re in custody in Chicago or suburban Cook County, call 1-800-LAW-REP4, a 24-hour hotline.
Demand a lawyer. In reality, they probably won’t get you one. But, the demand itself triggers constitutional protections.
Bottom line: you can’t control whether the police follow the law, uphold your rights.
You can only control you. So, I suggest you protect yourself by exercising all your damn rights:
— don’t consent to searches
— don’t speak
— demand a lawyer
You can only control you. So, I suggest you protect yourself by exercising all your damn rights:
— don’t consent to searches
— don’t speak
— demand a lawyer
