"I want to remain silent," is one of the trickier magic words. The Supreme Court has declared that in order to use your right to remain silent, you must first speak up and say you want to remain silent. After you say it, the police are still allowed to continue to question and harass you. You must not speak up and if you do, you have to say "I want to remain silent," all over again. For some reason, the Supreme Court thinks this is all very easy to do during a police encounter.
Don't worry. The last set of magic words are here to help. When you tell the police, "I want a lawyer," they are not allowed to talk to you again until you have a lawyer with you. If they do talk to you and you accidentally talk back, your lawyer will be able to throw it out in court even if you forget to say "I want to remain silent," after you talk. Asking for a lawyer is the ultimate legal block against the police. You do not need to ask for a specific lawyer or worry about paying if you cannot afford it. If you are arrested, remain silent and wait to get bailed out. At your first court date you can ask for a free lawyer.
If a person says the magic words, but only cops can hear them, did they really say anything at all?
Yes! There are ways to prove you said the magic words even if there are no witnesses other than the police. It is becoming common for police to record encounters. Also more and more drivers are using dash cams. Bystanders and onlookers are also allowed to video record police encounters. Your lawyer can find these recordings and use them to help you. Most importantly, make it known as part of your public reputation that you would always use the magic words with police. Constantly tell your friends and family about the magic words and how they should use them too. Carry stickers, cards, and other items with the magic words. Wear t-shirts with the magic words. Make the magic words a part of your life.
What about patients?
Police encounters can be especially confusing for medical marijuana patients. Why did you go through all that trouble to get the right paperwork if you have to remain silent and get arrested? Well, you don't. If the police stop you, you do not have to tell them you are a patient, if you grow, or where you get your medicine. You do not have to tell them anything! Say the magic words and let the cops do their job. If and when they find your pot, they should also find your patient paperwork whether it is a doctor's letter or state card. Tape the letter to the jar or put your patient card in the baggie. You do not want to have to talk and explain your patient status to police or ask to get your paperwork from your wallet. Let the police figure it out.
If the police ask you about your paperwork, you have to decide if you are going to talk to them. If they are trying to clarify and approve your paperwork, then maybe you want to answer their questions. If they disrespect your paperwork and ask you questions that don't sound like they care about the law, maybe you don't want to talk. You have to decide if talking will help or hurt you and it may not be so easy to tell. Once the police find your pot and know you are a patient, let them do what they are going to do, answer their questions if you think it will help, and then be silent. If you get a citation or are arrested, again your battle is in court and with proper documentation you should win.
A final caveat
The police cannot stop you for just any reason. They have to have evidence that a crime is being committed. That being said, the police stop people without any legal justification all the time. They stop people simply because of the way they look. This is called profiling. Racial profiling is rampant and young men of color know they can do everything right under the law and still get stopped. If you are profiled, it is a degrading experience, but it is one you can overcome by knowing your rights, using the magic words, and staying strong and silent. Once you are safe at home you can report the profiling to your local police watchdog organization or take official action against the police.
Remember, the goal of police encounters is to survive and stay alive!
Editor's note: Visit Lauren's website, like her facebook page, and follow her on twitter
Reprinted from ladybud.com
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