Amidst the clash between protesters and law enforcement in Ferguson, Missouri, stemming from the shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown on August 9 — not to mention the nationwide protests, rallies, and vigils these events have inspired — now seems like a good time to make sure that you know your rights when interacting with police officers.
Related: National Guard Called Into Ferguson
For example, do you know which information you have to provide when you’re stopped by the police, or how to let an officer know that you do not consent to a search? The vast majority of this information — which I’ve summarized below — is readily available online thanks to the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Lawyers Guild, and the Legal Aid Society’s YouTube channel, and I highly recommend reading and watching all of the resources they provide on the subject.
1.) You have the right to remain silent.
If you are stopped by a police officer, you have the right to remain silent, which is protected under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. If you would like to exercise this right, the ACLU recommends that you say so out loud: “I am exercising my right to remain silent.”
The NLG cautions that certain states have “stop and identify” statutes on the books that require detained individuals to provide information about their identity to law enforcement. “It’s always best not to guess what the ...