Don’t Be A Statistic
A bit of police and biker interaction in Laughlin, Nevada.
If it has never happened to you, you are an extreme rarity. By “it” I mean getting stopped by the cops. And when you do get stopped by the cops there are certain things you really should or should not do.
There is a Midwestern law firm called Hupy and Abraham that has put out an article called “10 Rules for Dealing with Police,” which is worth reading. None of this is mind-blowing; it’s really just common sense. But we know how little common sense some people exhibit sometimes. It won’t hurt to run through the list quickly just to refresh your memory about these sorts of things. I won’t just copy and paste it here because I’m not sure about copyright issues, but I’ll give the list and a few comments of my own.
Remain Calm and Cool — This is self-explanatory. We’ve seen all to often of late what can happen if you try to run or you get aggressive toward a police officer. Remember, they have guns. Just cooperate with them.
Never Touch an Officer — Again, totally self-explanatory. Don’t be stupid.
Do Not Give Up Your Rights — If you agree to a search of yourself or your vehicle you won’t have much of a leg to stand on if things go some way you did not expect. Be polite but firmly decline a search. If you choose not to speak or answer questions without a lawyer present, tell them that and then keep quiet.
Ask if You’re Being Detained or Are Free to Go — You have a right to know what’s happening. Ask politely.
Refuse Most Searches — Insist that they have a warrant. They can still pat you down for weapons, and do not resist this.
Do Not Confess to Wrongdoing — You have a Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
Keep Silent, Do Not Lie — If you wish to remain silent until a lawyer is present, state that clearly. Then keep quiet. And certainly don’t talk and lie–you would really be asking for it then.
Ask for a Lawyer — If you want a lawyer say so immediately. If you are permitted a phone call and you call a lawyer the officers are prohibited from listening to your conversation.
Demand a Warrant for Entry into Your Home — Again, self-explanatory.
Report Misconduct Later and Do Not Argue — Do not resist. This is not the time to argue. Make mental notes of what you feel is wrong and write those down as soon as possible afterward. Then file a formal complaint.
OK, clearly, these are not all “stopped going down the road” sorts of tips. These are tips for any time you deal with the police. Again, I have paraphrased and abbreviated. If you want to read the whole thing visit the website.
The number one key thing here, in my opinion is, Don’t Be Stupid. Being totally in the right means nothing if you’re dead.
Biker Quote for Today
You know you’re a biker when you have more pictures of your bike than your kids and grand kids.
Tags: dealing with police
