Law enforcement, and the 'Justice System' for the most part are not genuinely groups of people who are in the business of either protecting your rights or serving the greater interests of justice. They are in the business of indicting, convicting, fining and incarcerating. By analogy, they serve your rights as effectively and enthusiastically as the Internal Revenue Service operates to minimize your income tax payments and help you to prepare a tax return. There are some basic rules to dealing with law enforcement and its investigative and judicial allies:
1) Know your legal rights. Don't ever trust the word or promise of someone in a prosecutorial or investigative position;
2) If a law enforcement or investigative person knocks on your door "just to ask you a few questions," simply ask, while leaving them outside, "Do you have a court order or a warrant for my arrest? If not, just telephone my attorney, ________ at _____________. I'm sorry that I can't invite you in". Do not answer a single question after that, don't take the bait -- politely and apologetically close the door and advise them to "stay safe and drive carefully." You must do this despite your knowledge, or manners, or fear, or curiosity. Law enforcement counts on people's propensity to self-incriminate and to be easily intimidated in order to keep those conviction records high.
3) Never ever communicate with any judicial, investigative or law enforcement agency except through an attorney. Don't accept an invitations to have casual conversations with strangers, or to come downtown so we can have you answer a few questions -- you'll be back in a hour or less."
4) Never resist arrest, or defy a search warrant. Just don't talk. As they say on television, "lawyer up."
5) Try to conduct all of your business within the confines of the letter (if not the spirit) of the law, and avoid unnecessary exposure or direct interaction with any government agency if it can be avoided. Do not inadvertently make yourself or your activities a target.
The article excerpt link below appears courtesy of THE BIGTHINK DAILY IDEAFEED Newsletter. They are not only an excellent source of information -- they are a valuable source of commentary; and commentary is what brings utility, applicability and direct personal relevance to reported news.
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I
am not an advocate of either conducting your affairs illegally, or of
being either overtly insulting or uncooperative with these hardworking
folks who are just 'doing their job'. All that is important to remember
is that they are not generally (with some very special exceptions) 'out
to help you' and that your cooperation can be limited to simple courtesy
in saying "no."
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