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What to do if you’re stopped by the police

cassandraxia.com

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Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police

#161

Post by chadcmulligan »

masonic wrote: post #160
chadcmulligan wrote: post #79

So on the hacker news front page today: Colleges are closing because they're to expensive What to do if you're stopped by police The Top 10 books include 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 all we need is something about medical insurance sending people broke and the ever present incarceration rate. You guys should really fix this (not an American), its not that hard.

The Top 10 books include 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 No, the top ten books checked out in the history of the NYC Public Library include those two titles. Fixing one's reading comprehension (or intellectual honesty) isn't that hard, either.

Thats the point you're arguing?

Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police

#162

Post by masonic »

VitoVan wrote: post #2

I really appreciate something more like this, with more countries included other than USA, like: India / China / Russia

The Mexican short film "La Graduacion" is about a newly graduated doctor shaken down on his drive to his first position:

https://www.pbs.org/video/la-graduacion-pzk2mf/

Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police

#163

Post by cheez »

bsanr2 wrote: post #118
cheez wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're not the cops I've dealt with but thanks for being good sports when I go hard on you guys when you falsely arrest me and stuff. Eventually the realization dawns that I am rich and will fight back (I don't look it, drive an old car, wear old clothes) and magically the charges go away. Occasionally, I have to prove one of you perjured yourself.

This makes me wonder how much of legal decision-making is based on the actual law and the arguments being made, and how much is based on one's adherence to proper "courtroom culture" demonstrating that you're sophisticated enough to warrant bargaining with, rather than dictated to.

Approximately zero percent is based on law. Its based on what the enforcers think they can get away with.

Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police

#164

Post by BlackLotus89 »

fouc wrote: post #134
bsanr2 wrote: post #113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm still unclear on what to do when a police officer has demonstrated intent to hurt or kill you, despite your cooperation.

>Police have a tough job. They are on the lookout for any sign of danger. Make it clear that you are a sane, reasonable person. Keep your hands visible at all times. Avoid the element of surprise. > If you have any weapons or potentially dangerous items on you, keep your hands visible at all times and inform the officer. Inform the officer of your every move, if you need to reach for anything (your identification, yo…

Reminds me of "surviving edged weapons" https://youtube.com/watch?v=Vix6-afHzMg (don't watch it if you are faint of heart or dislike gory scenes)

Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police

#166

Post by LyndsySimon »

turkthrower123 wrote: post #165

Pray. Being stopped by American police can be a death sentence for anyone. I knew a programmer who was murdered by the same police he called to help him. His crime? Schizophrenia. https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2005/09/09/38582.php

Interesting. I know devs with similar stories - though obviously with slightly different outcomes.

Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police

#167

Post by thaumasiotes »

mikorym wrote: post #155
bsanr2 wrote: post #123

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have to understand, much of he law that pertains to using a motor vehicle in the US is a pretense to legitimize traffic stops, which are then used for some other purpose (mostly busting drivers for more serious crimes, or else extracting fines from out-of-towners/minorities).

What is the point of having traffic stops of this kind? For example, why can't you just have traffic checks as a normal activity? In some countries (Botswana is an interesting example) the police stop you on public holidays and give you flyers and tell you "drive safely".

The protection from unreasonable search and seizure is taken to mean that the police can't stop your car without a reason. Since the justice system really really wants to be able to stop your car at will, anything at all can be a "reason".

Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police

#169

Post by lovemenot »

laurieg wrote: post #153
AlexCoventry wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How does that attitude interact with article 35 of the Japanese constitution, which prohibits search and seizure without a warrant with adequate cause?

I am not a lawyer so I can't really give much of an opinion on this aspect. My layman's reading of that party of the constitution seems to suggest that searching people like this would be unlawful, but perhaps it had been judged in the past that not consenting to a search is sufficiently suspicious. The other common tactic I have seen is when the police want someone but cannot search or arrest then straightaway they…

What you say may well happen like this occasionally, but I would question the police's imputed motive. At least in general.

My wife works in mental health in Japan. Nurses use this exact technique to contain potentially violent situations. Not for legal purposes, but for the safety of themselves, the patient who is surrounded and of others too.

It's pretty effective in de-escalating and does not induce force from either party.

Again, not saying this system is never abused, but in general it's safer for all parties not to up the ante in using force for the purpose of getting a faster resolution.

Re: What to do if you’re stopped by the police

#170

Post by slumdev »

Johnny555 wrote: post #142
slumdev wrote: post #11

We live in a police state. If you're not an attorney (or as well versed in law as the attorney in the video), your best bet is usually to be friendly and comply. You comply because they're allowed to lie to you, they're allowed to search you with very little reason, and they're allowed to arrest you using circumstances and behaviors that they knowingly and purposefully antagonize out of you. And this is how freedom d…

Given what you just said, why would you comply? Seems better to heed the Miranda warning "Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law" and just say "I'd like to talk to an attorney first". Whether you did what you're suspected of or not, given how the deck is stacked against you, compliance seems like the wrong choice and you may very well end up making things worse for yourself. The cop is al…

What you're suggesting is what I mean by compliance.

You don't have to talk to them. It's probably the one thing you shouldn't do. You should respectfully refuse to answer questions, even before the point that they arrest you and read you the Miranda warning.

But you should allow a search of your vehicle. If you don't, they're just going to call a canine unit and provoke the dog to signal, regardless of whether there's anything in your car.

You should identify yourself if requested, provide proof of ID if requested, get out of the vehicle if requested, etc. Don't make any sudden movements or reach into your pockets. And smile.

This is where we live.

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