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What to do if you’re stopped by the police

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

#171

Post by TheAdamAndChe »

solotronics wrote: post #138
catalogia wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know right? He didn't even cite maritime law and claim to be 'traveling'!

Taking a step back and looking at the situation there really should be a way to "opt out" and still physically be in some part of the country. By that I mean opt out of taxes, any and all civil services, and public use things, basically everything that taxes pay for. There might have to be a zone of the country designated for this for "self sufficient community". Thinking about it Amish are already kind of this way a…

When large groups of people congeal into one area, power heirarchies naturally emerge(power in this case being defined as the capacity to influence the behavior of others). Government is merely a codification of this power structure into (ideally) a stable system. If such an anarchist haven was made, it would most likely eventually form its own government, defeating the purpose of the anarchist haven in the first place.

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

#172

Post by P_I_Staker »

bsanr2 wrote: post #113
CodeAndCuffs wrote: post #17

Former cop here. The article states "You cannot lie to the police". This is, generally, incorrect. Some jurisdictions may have some specific law, but other than certain exceptions, lying has no general consequence. If it did, there would be a lot more charges against pretty much everyone who has been arrested. In my experience, people will lie about stuff that's not even relevant, or helpful to them. Exceptions inclu…

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

You're basically screwed. Go ahead and defend yourself, but you'll likely be charged with a serious crime.

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

#173

Post by P_I_Staker »

mikorym wrote: post #101
mcny wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Never works. I was driving my friend’s car. I had a tire burst on me. I pulled over to the side of the road. Cops showed up in a few minutes and charged me with reckless driving. Made me take three different breathalyzers. I hadn’t been drinking so obviously it showed “well below the legal limit”. But my friend apparently had an empty beer can in the back. You can never say it wasn’t yours, apparently. In any case, p…

Is it illegal to have an empty beer can in your car? A couple of German exchange students once told me that you can drink in a car while the car is moving as long as the driver doesn't drink anything.

That's state dependant. Here is determined by the total volume of alcohol. A beer with a few sips left wouldn't count

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

#174

Post by P_I_Staker »

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".

That would violate our constitution. These sorts of traffic stops are either a bug or a feature, depending who you talk to. I feel that in the absence of clearly reckless driving the police should be unable to stop you. I view these sorts of stops as government run amuck, and a police state. Many Americans would agree, which is why we have constitutional protections beyond most countries (in theory at least). The problem is that hinders the police's ability to solve cases, which is where the "hack" comes in.

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

#175

Post by P_I_Staker »

mirimir wrote: post #105
mikorym wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is it illegal to have an empty beer can in your car? A couple of German exchange students once told me that you can drink in a car while the car is moving as long as the driver doesn't drink anything.

In the US, it is.

Not everywhere, and it should be nowhere. Which states don't specify that there needs to be alcohol in the container? That seems like a bizarre last, but it certainly wouldn't surprise me.

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

#176

Post by P_I_Staker »

quicklime wrote: post #18

> "I'm going to remain silent. I'd like to see a lawyer." On TV shows, the guy would then call his lawyer, who is under a retainer or something. The lawyer has all the context on exactly what's going on, and tells him exactly what to do, and he gets off free. But as someone who doesn't have a lawyer, what exactly happens if and when the cop agrees to this? Are they obligated to provide me with a lawyer? Or do I need…

Y'all wait until you can find one. I don't know how that works if you can't afford one, as they're usually court ordered ie. after being charged. You don't talk and wait to be charged I guess

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

#177

Post by P_I_Staker »

dmalvarado wrote: post #13

Main problem with this advice is, I can either assert my rights on principle, be detained, possibly held in lockup, deal with the lawyers and courts... Or I can just let them look in my empty trunk. I say this with full awareness of how fucked up it is, but your bet is to be white and polite.

Yup, these recommendations have practical issues that are rarely seriously discussed. If you assert your rights, the cops will also be the biggest jerks possible.

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

#178

Post by P_I_Staker »

chadcmulligan wrote: post #161
masonic wrote: post #160

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

Knowing the top books in the NYC library is relevant and interesting information, not an endorsement of "top" books everywhere in the world.

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

#179

Post by P_I_Staker »

thatiscool wrote: post #89

something is wrong with the system if you need to be so paranoid with the policeman. it seems people are living under fear and police force in the U.S. can easily abuse their power and walk free. Does anyone still remember the tragedy of Debian founder Ian Murdock suicided in San Francisco? in EU or Asia, policeforce seems more approachable.

We live in a police state. We've also greatly expanded what we consider criminal, and drastically upped the punishment. The USA has some serious soul searching to do regarding morality/punishment, and basically nothing is happening on that front.

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

#180

Post by P_I_Staker »

Polylactic_acid wrote: post #100
thatiscool wrote: post #89

something is wrong with the system if you need to be so paranoid with the policeman. it seems people are living under fear and police force in the U.S. can easily abuse their power and walk free. Does anyone still remember the tragedy of Debian founder Ian Murdock suicided in San Francisco? in EU or Asia, policeforce seems more approachable.

The police in Australia are far from perfect but they seem like saints compared to American police. I have interacted with them a few times and it has always been very reasonable.

They're strip searching children, so I don't know that I'd hold them up as a shining example of excellent policing.
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