No one can! Many adults believe they have the right to require a minor to answer questions, they're wrong!

* Police and probation officers CAN'T order minors to answer questions.  

Your Rights At School

  Public school students have the First Amendment right to politically organize at school by passing out leaflets, holding meetings, publishing independent newspapers, putting up posters, etc., just so long as those activities do not disrupt classes or promote drug use. Students can be suspended or expelled from school only if they violate the law or disrupt school activities.

  Students can have their backpacks and lockers searched by school officials at school if they have "reasonable suspicion" that you are involved in criminal activity, carrying drugs, weapons, etc. Reasonable suspicion means they have to have specific reasons to justify their search. Do not consent to the police or school officials searching your property, but do not physically resist or you may face criminal charges.

  Students can now be stopped and questioned by school officials at school even without reasonable suspicion, but not for reasons that are harassing or discriminatory. In other words, if you are not in class you can be stopped and questioned as to where you are going and why, but they should not stop and question you for engaging in legally protected political activity or because of your ethnicity or religion.

 

 To stop you a police officer must have a specific reason to suspect your involvement in a specific crime and should be able to tell you that reason when you ask . This is known as reasonable suspicion. Reasons a police officer might pull you over will usually be for some type of "traffic violation," such as speeding or maybe not using your blinker.  The traffic stop may seem wrong or unfair, but the police officer believes he has a reason to stop you. Throwing a cigarette butt or a gum wrapper out your car window is reason enough for the police to pull you over, ticket you for littering and start asking you all sorts of personal questions.

 #1 - Safety. The first thing is your safety! You want to put the police officer at ease. Pull over to a safe place, turn off your ignition, stay in the car and keep your hands on the steering wheel. At night turn on the interior lights. Keep your license, registration, and proof of insurance always close by.

 Build trust, be a "good citizen," be courteous, stay calm and don't complain. Show respect and say things like "sir, no sir." The idea is to get the police officer to understand that you're just an average ordinary citizen and let you get on your way down the road. Never bad-mouth a police officer, stay in control of your words, body language and your emotions. Never touch a police officer and don't run away!

 #2 - Talking To A Police Officer. The only questions you need to answer is your name, address and date of birth and nothing else! Instead of telling the police officer who you are, simply give him your drivers license or I.D. card. The only the information the police officer needs to know about you can be found on your drivers license, so don't volunteer any more information to the police officer! If he ask you any questions say politely, "I'm going to remain silent, am I free to go?" and then don't say another word.

 #3 - "I'm Going to Remain Silent." The Supreme Court has made a new ruling, that you should Never Talk to a Police Officer" without an attorney, but there's a CATCH! New Ruling  Before you're allowed not to talk to a police officer, you must tell the police officer "That You're Going to Remain Silent" and then keep your mouth shut! (How can you be falsely accused and charged if you don't say anything?) Remember anything you say or do can and will be used against you at any time by the police. Police have help put innocent people in prison just because of a couple of words that were spoken to a police officer.

 #4 - Just Say NO to Police Searches! If a police officer didn't need your permission, he wouldn't be asking. Never give permission to a police officer to search you, your car or your home. If a police officer does search you, don't resist and keep saying "I don't consent to a search."

 #5 - "Am I Free to Go?" As soon as the police officer ask you a question ask him "Am I Free to Go?"  If the police officer says that you're are being detained or arrested, tell the police officer that "I'm going to remain silent."

 

 Police officers need your permission to have a conversation, never give it to them!

 Never voluntarily talk to a police officer, there's no such thing as a "friendly chat" with a police officer. The Supreme Court has recently ruled that you should NOT talk to a police officer without a lawyer and you must say "I'm going to remain silent." It can be dangerous to talk to a police officer or a Federal Agent anytime like during a traffic stop, in a public place or at police station. Innocent people have talked to a police officer and ended up in jail and prison, because they spoke to a police officer without an attorney.

 Police officers have the same right as you "Freedom of Speech," they can ask you anything they want, but you should never answer any of their questions. Don't let the police officer try and persuade you to talk! Say something like "I'm sorry, I don't have time to talk to you right now." If the cop insists on talking to you, ask him "Am I free to go?" The police officer may not like when you refuse to talk to him and challenge you with words like, "If you have nothing to hide, why won't you speak to me? Say again  "I told you I don't have time to talk to you right now, Am I free to go?" If you forget or the police officer tricks you into talking, it's ok just start over again and tell the police officer "I'm going to remain silent."

 The Supreme Court has ruled that if a police officer doesn't force you to do something, then you're acting "voluntarily." That means if the police officer starts being intimidating and you do what he ask because you're "afraid" you still have done it voluntarily.(Florida v. Bostick, 1991) If you do what a police officer ask you to do such as allowing him to search your car or answer any of his questions, you are 'voluntarily' complying with his 'requests.' So don't comply, just keep your mouth shut unless you say "Am I Free to Go?" or "I don't consent to a search."

 You have every right NOT to talk to a police officer and you should NOT speak to a police officer unless you have first consulted with a lawyer who has advised you differently. Police officers depend on fear and intimidation to get what they want from you. Police officers might say they will "go easy" on you if you talk to them, but this is not true! The government has made a law that allows police officers to lie to the American public. Another reason not to trust the police! So be as nice as possible, but stand firm on your rights! Where do some of your rights come from? Read the Fourth and Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. 

Traffic Stops and Your Rights

  First of all keep your license, registration and proof of insurance in an easily accessible place such as attached to your sun visor. The less time it takes for you to get to these items, the less time the officer has to look through your windows and snoop. When pulled over by a police officer stay in the car, turn on the cab lights and keep your hands on the steering wheel. Sit still, relax and wait for the officer to come to you. Any sudden movements, ducking down, looking nervous or appearing to be searching for something under your seat is dangerous! Just sit up naturally, be still and try to put the officer at ease."

 The first thing you should ask the police officer is "hello officer, why did you pull me over?" THEN KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! Police officers have a routine they use during traffic stops. Some police departments have a "10 step check list" on what to do and what to ask you. Police officers like to ask the first question and that usually is, "do you know the reason I pulled you over today?" The police officer is trying to get you to do two things, get you to admit that you committed a violation and to get you "voluntarily" to start a conversation with him.

 During a traffic stop the police officer will ask for your "papers please," such as your driver's license, registration and proof of insurance. Let the police officer do all the talking, but you don't have to answer any question the police officer ask if "you" choose not to do so. Just remember innocent people have ended up in prison because they talked to a police officer. Remember the police officer is not your friend and should not be trusted.

 The police officer might start asking you personal questions such as "where are you going, where have you been and who did you see," ect. At that point it's the perfect time to exercise your rights by asking the police officer "AM I FREE TO GO?" There is NO legal requirement that American citizens provide information about their comings and goings to a police officer. It's none of their damn business! Keep asking the police officers "AM I FREE TO GO?" You have to speak up and verbally ask the police officer if you may leave, otherwise the courts will presume that you consented to stay and talk to the cops on your own free will.

 Passengers in your vehicle need to know their rights as well. They have the same right not to talk to a police officer and the right to refuse a search "unless it's a 'pat down' for weapons." The police will usually separate the passengers from each other and ask questions to see if their stories match. All passengers should always give the same answer and say, "I'm going to remain silent, am I free to go?" Remember you have to tell the police officer that you don't want to talk to him. It's the law 

Car Searches And Body Searches

Remember the police officer wouldn't be asking you, if he didn't need your permission to search! "The right to be free from unreasonable searches is one of America's most precious First Liberties."

  Just because you're stopped for a traffic violation does NOT allow a police officer to search your car. However if you go riding around smoking a blunt and get pulled over, the police officer smells marijuana, sees a weapon or drugs in plain view he now has "probable cause" to search you car and that's your own stupid-ass fault!

 You DON'T have to give consent to a police officer when he ask to search your vehicle or home. While you DON'T have to consent, bear in mind that the expectation of privacy in a car on a public road is less than the expectation of privacy in your home.

 Police officers swore an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and not to violate your rights against unreasonable search and seizure Fourth Amendment.  Denying a police officers request to search you or your car is not an admission of guilt, it's your American right! Some police officers might say, "if you have nothing to hide, you should allow me to search." Say politely to the police officer "I've been advised by an attorney never consent to a search."

 The police officer is allowed to handcuff you and/or detain and even put you in his police car for his safety. Don't resist or you will be arrested! There's a big difference between being detained and being arrested. Say nothing in the police car! Police will record your conversation inside the police car, so say nothing to your friend and don't talk to the police officers!

 If you are arrested and your car is towed, the police are allowed to take an "inventory" of items in your car. If anything found that's illegal, the police will get a warrant and then charge you with another crime.

Police Pat Downs...

  

If the Police Knock at Your Home-You Don't Have to Open the Door!

 If the police knock and ask to enter your home, you DON'T have to open the door unless they have a warrant signed by a judge. "Besides if the police have a warrant they won't knock, they'll be kicking in your door!" There is NO law that requires you to open your door to a police officer.*  Don't open your door with the chain-lock on either, the police may shove their way in. Simply shout to the police officers "I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY" or just don't say anything at all.

 Guest and roommates staying in your home/apartment/dorm need to be aware of their rights specially "college students" and told not to open the door to a police officer or invite police officers into your home without your permission. Police officers are like vampires, they need your permission to come into your home. Never invite a police officer into your home, such an invitation not only gives police officers an opportunity to look around for clues to your lifestyle, habits, friends, reading material, etc;  but also tends to prolong the conversation.

 If you are arrested outside your home the police officer might ask if you would like to go inside and get your shoes or a shirt? He might even be nice and let you tell your wife or friend goodbye, but it's a trick! Don't let the police officer into your house!

 Never agree to go to the police station if the police want to question you. Simply say, "I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY."

 * In some emergency situations (for example when a someone is screaming for help from inside your home, police are chasing someone into your home, police see a felony being committed or if someone has called 911 from inside your house) police officers are then allowed to enter and search your home without a warrant. 

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