Don't Talk to Cops, Part 1

Let 'em bring it. With every blow, I hear cha-ching.

Sure. I suppose that, if you get the guy mad, he could lie just to get you into trouble. How likely do you think that is, though? If you're polite in refusing to answer questions or allowing searches, I expect most cops will play fair with you. If you seem like a person who knows his rights and is able to defend them in court, the cop may perceive you as a potential threat to his own career if he cheats. It's too easy for him to find an easier mark to make his arrest quota. You'll slide.

they can hit you until you talk.

if the police wants to screw you can he?
i mean lets say i remain silent, can the cops lie and say i told "xxxx". if there are no camera, audio recording.. how does one deal with this? also, what if its vice-versa?

If you are pulled over by the police for a traffic violation roll down your window a few inches and let the officer do the talking. Say nothing and hand him your license, registration, and insurance card when he asks for it. They may ask "do you know why I stopped you?" This is to get you to admit to the violation!!!

They may ask, "Do you know how fast you were going?" This is also a TRAP. SAY NOTHING!!!

If you are cited SHOW UP FOR COURT AS the cops often don't show up and the ticket is void.

Check out the flex your rights videos here on youtube. They do a great job answering your questions.

LOL thank you, I was trying to figure out who he reminded me of! You nailed it.

It's no surprise to me that Martin Short Moonlights as a criminal defense lawyer. That guy can play any character!

Like a good lawyer he talks faster than an auctioneer.

Great video. A MUST SEE !!!

Nice post.

"met your 7 word limit." -- 2 is not a word ;)

You've been in a car accident, the cop asks where your car was in relation to the other car. You:

A. Stare vacantly at him
B. Call him a pig
C. Tell him where your car was in relation to the other car.

You're witnessed, but were not a part of a gang fight, a policeman asks which gang you belong to. You:

A. Stare vacantly at him
B. Call him a pig
C. Tell him that you belong to neither gang.

You're telling me that you'd answer A or B to both?

I can't speak for Duane, but I saw a "Flex Your Rights" vid, Busted...,(see related vids on the right) and they advocate asking the first question and answering a question with a question. Eg., to avoid quetion 2, when the cop approaches, say, "Good afternoon, officer. Why'd you pull me over?" To the other questions, ask, "Why, officer?" If he persists, say, "I'd rather not say, officer. Am I free to go?"
Watch that vid. It's great.

Go watch part 2, BY a cop.

^ There, met your 7 word limit.

How is what I said either naive or idiotic?

Why do I have a feeling you won't respond or, if you do, it will be in 7 words or less?

Duane, what do you suggest in a typical traffic stop from question/dialogue along the lines of:

"Do you know how fast you were going?"
"Do you know why I stopped you?"
"Where are you headed/going?"
"Where do you live?"

...and other introductory questioning in a traffic-related questionion. I feel this is the most common area where people are questioned by police.

Thanks a bunch for the video!

spoken like a naive idiot

Oh don't get me wrong, I totally agree with the advice. All I'm saying is that in the real world you have be discreet. You have to know when to shut up and when to talk.

Not talking when it's something really minor and you know for sure nothing will incriminate you is just going to get your wheels stuck in bureaucratic mud for no reason - or worse if you have to deal with some of the neanderthals in the NOPD (especially pre and directly post Katrina)

I'd rather fight a "trumped up, BS charge" than hand an officer something real. Do you think talking to the police will make it LESS likely that you go to jail? I'll bet most practicing attorneys will tell you to keep your mouth shut. This is also the advice of the ACLU, hardly an ivory tower outfit. The veteran cop who spoke in Part 2 of this video agrees.

I'd be interested in knowing if there's even one attorney or police officer reading this who thinks that keeping quiet is bad advice.

5000% korrekt. why even THINK of suggesting this to anyone?

This is fine as an ivory tower issue, but don't talk to a policeman during something even as minor as a traffic stop for speeding and you will go to jail on some trumped up BS charge.

Forensic evidence.

How many cold blooded murderers that never said a word to the police and got off the hook because all the evidence they had were footprints with the victim's blood still on the shoes they wore to be questioned, DNA samples, fingerprints, chemical tests, video, and audio recordings, but they didn't talk to the police so the case was weak?

I say one should be enough. Some people have this crazy idea of, lock'em all up just in case. Just in case as long as it's not me or mine.

Most cops aren't bad people, just watch the second half of the video. Cops usually think they've got the right guy, no matter what, and they just need to find a way to make you pay for the crimes they think you did. Alas, they're human, so they tend to mess up, but people all to often give them ammunition to shoot themselves. So, Don't talk to the cops, especially if you're being questioned in something like a murder, even if you're innocent.

Hell IS very real, since it's invention somewhere between the old testament and the new testament, God has been putting it to good use, I hear.

Can you prove your outrageous claim? If not, don't talk about it or you'll be sent to a loony bin.. oh wait never mind, most of the world believes in Hell