Law professor: Never talk to police

[Night Runner]

I found this fascinating video (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) and it really made me think. In the video, professor James Duane from the Regent Law School presents a lecture on why citizens should never talk to the police under any circumstances. Then he gives the microphone to an experienced police officer who not only confirms everything the professor said, but also adds his own unique perspective.

I think this is one of the few must-see videos on the Internet because any one of us may be affected, even if s/he never does anything wrong. (They elaborate on that in the video - time code 13:20.) If nothing else, it's well worth watching because of the cop's presentation and his anecdotes, as well as a glimpse into the way the law enforcement system works.

Are there any lawyers/cops/Fifth Amendment experts in the house? What do you think?

[Grimstad]

I was impressed by one particular point. While what you say may be used against you in court, it CAN NOT be used FOR you, because its hearsay.

[Lonpone]

Got a nice guilty until proven innocent vibe from that piece. Makes me think it might be better to just stick people into a room, let no one see one another, have them write up their statements and have a magistrate analyze the whole situation.

[Slacker]

Very entertaining lecture, and a bit of good information, particularly from the cop. Of course, the unspoken assumption is that cops don't lie (which may be a bit optimistic). When a cop pulls you over for speeding, asks you if you know how fast you were going, and you say nothing, what's to prevent him/her from making something up when they're writing their notes?

[Warrior]

Interesting, but really just a repeat of any good 9th grade civics lesson. Failing that, you could also develop the same lecture after watching five episodes of Law and Order.

I thought the best comment was when the police officer said something to the extent of "when I get you into the interview room, you're not going to win".

[eagleseven]

A simple lesson, yet a hard one to remember when under duress.

[timetraveler]

I found this fascinating video (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) and it really made me think. In the video, professor James Duane from the Regent Law School presents a lecture on why citizens should never talk to the police under any circumstances. Then he gives the microphone to an experienced police officer who not only confirms everything the professor said, but also adds his own unique perspective.

I think this is one of the few must-see videos on the Internet because any one of us may be affected, even if s/he never does anything wrong. (They elaborate on that in the video - time code 13:20.) If nothing else, it's well worth watching because of the cop's presentation and his anecdotes, as well as a glimpse into the way the law enforcement system works.

Are there any lawyers/cops/Fifth Amendment experts in the house? What do you think?

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you.

Duh of course you shouldn't say anything.

[karenann33]

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you.

Duh of course you shouldn't say anything.

I'm married to a cop and don't have 47 minutes to watch this video. However I fully agree with this statement.

FWIW most cops here are just doing their jobs. People watch way to many episodes of CSI or Law and Order. I can assure you it doesn't happen that way in real life. Here if you get arrested they've got more than enough evidence on you so you don't really have to say a word. Cops don't like to lose in court so they cross their t's and dot their i's before arresting someone. Overall I think criminals are stupid. Dude before you rob the bank you might want to take off your tags. LOL!! Thanks now we have your picture, your fingerprints, a description of your car registered to you, your tag number and we know where you live. And that red dye on your hands well thats just a bonus.

[Night Runner]

Here if you get arrested they've got more than enough evidence on you so you don't really have to say a word.

Where is "Here"? Does "Here" apply to the rest of police departments all over the country? Do all police officers everywhere adhere to the standards of "Here"? Or is it possible that somewhere, sometimes there are bad apples?

The rest of your post had very little to do with the original topic. Please take the time (it's only 47 minutes) to watch the video before leaving irrelevant comments. :)

[Reon]

I was impressed by one particular point. While what you say may be used against you in court, it CAN NOT be used FOR you, because its hearsay.

A simple lesson, yet a hard one to remember when under duress.

I agree, that was an impressive point but I think the major issue with talking to the police, or not talking to them, is the fact that your under duress and you might just want to have someone here your innocent. Not talking to the plus is the best idea, though.

[Causa Mortis]

Actually I would talk to the cops if I were working in an OC type environment and I had dirt on a competitor. Play it smart and you'd get less competition for no risk on your part.

Generally though, I agree that not talking to the cops is in your best interest, except for complying with requests like "license and registration". I'd recount an issue from mid adolescence where cops manipulated a situation and statements I'd made to be SO much more than it actually was, but that would make for long and mostly boring reading.

It would really depend on the cop though, although I would start from a position of mistrust unless you know them from church or something.

[Brion]

I believe there is a supreme court case that held that silence CAN be used against you if a normal person would have objected to such a statement.. ie cop says, we know you robbed the bank abnd you dont say anything.

[Ray9]

I always talk to the cops and I always say the same thing: "I'm not from this planet and I have a radio in my tooth". They never arrest me and I get to go home every time.

[ClydeB]

I always talk to the cops and I always say the same thing: "I'm not from this planet and I have a radio in my tooth". They never arrest me and I get to go home every time.

So, what planet do you call home? :D

Yes. I have seen those videos. Very interesting material. Fortunately for me I have not been in a situation where that advice would be handy. Least not after seeing the videos. Personally I hope to not have to be in a situation where I am under official scrutiny of law enforcement.

For those of you who also have an interest in how to minimize your interactions with law enforcement, there's a series of videos made by a former narcotics officer where he talks about how to avoid attention in the first place and what to do if you do have to interact with them on an official basis. I do not have the link to the web site. But here's an npr article that talks in more detail about the man behind the videos. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[PortInStorm]

Great video. It impressed me that no one even knows how MANY laws there are, never mind what all the laws are. So it makes a huge amount of sense that, with ANYTHING I say to the cops, I may be confessing to breaking a law I didn't even know existed.

[AnotherNormal]

My uncle is an attorney, he says the same thing: Don’t talk to police.

In the U.S. it is your right, you don’t have to talk to them. You don’t have to answer their questions.

If they actually do arrest you tell them you want to talk to an attorney.

[karenann33]

Where is "Here"? Does "Here" apply to the rest of police departments all over the country? Do all police officers everywhere adhere to the standards of "Here"? Or is it possible that somewhere, sometimes there are bad apples?

The rest of your post had very little to do with the original topic. Please take the time (it's only 47 minutes) to watch the video before leaving irrelevant comments. :)

Of course there are bad apples. I never said there wasn't. In fact I'm agreeing with this. You should NOT talk to the police. I don't need to watch a 47 minute video to tell me that. My dh would say the same thing. Get an attorney asap and keep your mouth shut.

I just get defensive when people talk about police officers because I'm married to one.

[Lucid]

I think I mentioned this in another thread, but my older brother is an attorney and so is my father. Their advice has always been that I shouldn't give any more information to the police then I absolutely have to and that if the cop asks to search me, my car or my home I should refuse (unless they have a warrant of course) and call them (my brother or father) immediately.

It's not that all cops are bad. There are good cops and bad cops just like any other profession. But if you have a dishonest and malicious plumber the worst that can happen is you get overcharged for bad work. If you have a dishonest and malicious cop it can ruin your life. This principle is true of any profession that carries with it a lot of power. Extra care should be taken when dealing with those in such a profession.