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Cell Phone Guide For US Protesters, Updated 2014 Edition

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Re: Cell Phone Guide For US Protesters, Updated 2014 Edition

#51

Post by spiritplumber »

dannypgh wrote: post #26
JoeAltmaier wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't you actually have to remain silent? Its not just a game of Simon Says; anything you say can actually be used against you. The only solution is to remain totally silent.

No. If you're under arrest, you'll generally want to help them identify you properly (unless you don't, in which case going through the system as a John Doe [1] is an option and I know people who this worked quite well for) and state that you won't answer questions without an attorney. The act of asking for one gives you protections. Likewise, the police may read you your Miranda rights and try to get you to sign som…

My advice would be:

1) Be polite. Always. 2) Make it clear that you're both two professionals trying to get through this as quickly as possible, both of you have better things to do. 3) If you must talk to someone, always talk to the person, never the hat.

Re: Cell Phone Guide For US Protesters, Updated 2014 Edition

#52

Post by spiritplumber »

ryandrake wrote: post #50

Surprisingly, the obvious and fairly fool-proof "If you're going to go protest, leave your phone at home" didn't seem to be among the advice given.

If you're going to a protest, spend $10 on a tracfone. They have cameras anyway.

Re: Cell Phone Guide For US Protesters, Updated 2014 Edition

#53

Post by iak8god »

rhino369 wrote: post #45
mikeash wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Assuming you can afford it (a big assumption, but probably the case for most people here), would it not be wise to have a lawyer present when talking to the police even if you're just a witness? The legal system is complicated and you can go from "witness" to "suspect" real quick if you're unlucky.

Just use a little sense. If you buddy suddenly beats someone up, there is a chance they pin you as an accomplice. If you see some old lady get robbed, that's not coming back on you. Also, if the police don't put you under custody, you don't get Miranda rights and you don't get the right to a lawyer necessarily. You'd have to pay one yourself.

> Just use a little sense... If you see some old lady get robbed, that's not coming back on you.

Unfortunately, "just use a little sense" may be dangerous advice. Here's a story from earlier this year about a guy who called 911 when he came across an injured person lying in the street. As thanks for his trouble, he was assaulted by police, arrested, and spent twelve hours in jail -- mostly in solitary confinement: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7233730

Re: Cell Phone Guide For US Protesters, Updated 2014 Edition

#54

Post by tedunangst »

iak8god wrote: post #53
rhino369 wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just use a little sense. If you buddy suddenly beats someone up, there is a chance they pin you as an accomplice. If you see some old lady get robbed, that's not coming back on you. Also, if the police don't put you under custody, you don't get Miranda rights and you don't get the right to a lawyer necessarily. You'd have to pay one yourself.

> Just use a little sense... If you see some old lady get robbed, that's not coming back on you. Unfortunately, "just use a little sense" may be dangerous advice. Here's a story from earlier this year about a guy who called 911 when he came across an injured person lying in the street. As thanks for his trouble, he was assaulted by police, arrested, and spent twelve hours in jail -- mostly in solitary confinement: ht…

So the lesson is if you see somebody bleeding in the street the right thing to do is to walk away?

Re: Cell Phone Guide For US Protesters, Updated 2014 Edition

#55

Post by A_COMPUTER »

ejr wrote: post #18

While useful for communication, recording via smartphone is still a tricky affair. This was listed on HN recently, and as soon as it becomes available, it may be a more viable option for recording video than a smartphone camera or even a GoPro http://www.polaroid.com/cube It also has no bright screen to draw attention to itself and the small form factor makes it easier to mount in clothing and, if you have enough tim…

Coming soon to a police state near you, dogs trained to smell sd cards:

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140707/11434227803/rhode...

Re: Cell Phone Guide For US Protesters, Updated 2014 Edition

#57

Post by halfcat »

tedunangst wrote: post #54
iak8god wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Just use a little sense... If you see some old lady get robbed, that's not coming back on you. Unfortunately, "just use a little sense" may be dangerous advice. Here's a story from earlier this year about a guy who called 911 when he came across an injured person lying in the street. As thanks for his trouble, he was assaulted by police, arrested, and spent twelve hours in jail -- mostly in solitary confinement: ht…

So the lesson is if you see somebody bleeding in the street the right thing to do is to walk away?

After you call 911, yes.

Re: Cell Phone Guide For US Protesters, Updated 2014 Edition

#58

Post by dannypgh »

tedunangst wrote: post #54
iak8god wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Just use a little sense... If you see some old lady get robbed, that's not coming back on you. Unfortunately, "just use a little sense" may be dangerous advice. Here's a story from earlier this year about a guy who called 911 when he came across an injured person lying in the street. As thanks for his trouble, he was assaulted by police, arrested, and spent twelve hours in jail -- mostly in solitary confinement: ht…

So the lesson is if you see somebody bleeding in the street the right thing to do is to walk away?

Someone bleeding in the street needs first aid and/or paramedics. Answering questions from a police officer won't get that person either. Your statement really reads like a non sequitur to me.

I think most people either don't realize or choose to ignore the fact that calling the police rarely prevents any crime. It can be effective if what you're seeking is retribution or revenge, but once you've been stabbed whether you heal or not doesn't really depend on whether you answer questions from the police.

The news from Ferguson is a reminder that bringing police into a situation can make many situations much worse for everyone. If I find you bleeding in the street I'll help you get medical care and if you want to go to the police that's your decision, not mine.

Re: Cell Phone Guide For US Protesters, Updated 2014 Edition

#59

Post by dannypgh »

rhino369 wrote: post #45
mikeash wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Assuming you can afford it (a big assumption, but probably the case for most people here), would it not be wise to have a lawyer present when talking to the police even if you're just a witness? The legal system is complicated and you can go from "witness" to "suspect" real quick if you're unlucky.

Just use a little sense. If you buddy suddenly beats someone up, there is a chance they pin you as an accomplice. If you see some old lady get robbed, that's not coming back on you. Also, if the police don't put you under custody, you don't get Miranda rights and you don't get the right to a lawyer necessarily. You'd have to pay one yourself.

You always have your Miranda rights. You're required to be informed of them only if you are to be questioned (edit: while in a custodial interrogation, which means you reasonably think you aren't fully there voluntarily) and your answers used against you in court. Or perhaps more accurately: if you answer a question from the police and weren't informed of your Miranda rights, a competent lawyer may be able to suppress some amount of the evidence gathered by the police as inadmissible.

As far as I know this applies for all questioning, regardless of whether you're free to go, being detained, or under arrest. IANAL but I've had plenty of encounters with police.

The key right you're asserting is not a "right to a lawyer" it's the right to remain silent. Asking for a lawyer helps you to do this, because otherwise they have much more latitude to try to convince or trick you into talking. If you said you are remaining silent until you talk to a lawyer, in theory, they have to leave you alone until the lawyer is there.

Re: Cell Phone Guide For US Protesters, Updated 2014 Edition

#60

Post by gizmo686 »

dannypgh wrote: post #58
tedunangst wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So the lesson is if you see somebody bleeding in the street the right thing to do is to walk away?

Someone bleeding in the street needs first aid and/or paramedics. Answering questions from a police officer won't get that person either. Your statement really reads like a non sequitur to me. I think most people either don't realize or choose to ignore the fact that calling the police rarely prevents any crime. It can be effective if what you're seeking is retribution or revenge, but once you've been stabbed whether…

How would you help get medical care? In an emergency situation most people would call 911 and request an ambulance. The 911 operator would request details on the nature of the medical emergency so that the paramedics arrive on scene with more knowledge and an ability to respond faster, and so that you can be advised on how best to proceed while waiting for the paramedics to arrive. The operator may also send the police regardless of if they were requested or not.
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