"Tricks of the Trade"
1. Knock and Talks:
Police show up at your front door without a search warrant and trick you into consenting to a search. Generally, the police have information of illegal activities, but not enought for a search warrant. The police trick you by telling you they are there for a morals violation (stolen property) and that they need to look around for the stuff. The police are really there for another purpose (usually drugs) and use your consent to fulfill that purpose without having to get a search warrant, generally resulting in an arrest.
2. Tandem Driving:
Police will observe cars traveling together on the interstate to see if they are out-of-state rentals from states known to be source states for drugs. Police will then find some sort of traffic violation as a pre-text to simultaneously stop both cars, wherein they subsequently try and gain consent to search. Police will use deliberate tactics such as not asking for your proof of insurance until after they have had time to write you a warning so that they can prolong the stop for additional investigation beyond that which is usually permissible so that they can gain consent or find probable cause to make an arrest.
3. Terry Pat-downs:
Police will tell you that they believe you have a gun, and will ask you for permission to pat your person to determine if you have a gun. The real reason for patting you down is to feel if you might have drugs or other contraband in your pockets. Once they feel the contraband they will ask you what it is. The police are hoping that you will thell them that it is drugs so that they will have probable cause to arrest you.
4. Patrol Car Recordings:
Police use both outside and inside video and audio recordings to gather incriminating statements against you, especially during the time in which two potential suspects are placed in the back of the squad car. The police are encouraging suspects to talk about the crime, while secretly recording every statement being made.
1. ALWAYS REMAIN SILENT:
You can never talk your way out of a situation with the police, but you can always talk your way into an arrest. Seek consel before saying anything to anybody, including your friends.
2. NEVER SIGN ANYTHING:
Police officers solve the majority of crimes only after someone has talked. Do not agree to sign any waiver of your right to remain silent until you have consulted with counsel.
3. DON'T BELIEVE THE POLICE:
Police officers will make open-ended promises of leniency to convince you to talk. Don't believe them, as only the prosecutor has the discretion to show leniency. Seek legal advice immediately!
4. REFUSE ALL SEARCHES:
Never let the police search your home, car or person without a search warrant. Demand to see the search warrant. Police officers play upon your ignorance of the law to gain consent to search. Don't be caught off guard, call an attorney first.
5. ALWAYS ASK FOR AN ATTORNEY:
You have the right to counsel during questioning or a police line-up. Never give up this right! --"NEVER!!!"
6. OBSERVE AND PRESERVE:
Never become confrontational with police. Simply observe police conduct and preserve the badge number, as well as, the names, addresses and telephone numbers of potential witnesses to be given to your attorney at a later date.
