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Criminal Law Resources
Top Five Things You Should Know About Criminal
Law
DWI Fact Sheet
Probation Summary
TOP
FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD
KNOW ABOUT CRIMINAL LAW:
1: Many
times people accused of crimes do most of the damage to their
own case by giving up important Constitutional rights. They
sometimes sign a consent to search form or just orally agree
to allow the police to search their property. Never under
any circumstance consent to a search. NEVER!!! Do not consent
to a search of your car. Do not consent to a search of your
home. Do not consent to a search of a friend's or roommate's
car or house. Do not consent to a search of your person. Do
not consent even if the police tell you they have a warrant.
Do not consent. EVER. Many times a person gets arrested because
they consented, hoping the police would decide not to search
or even worse, thinking that there is nothing illegal be found
to - only to learn a buddy or spouse has left behind a weapon,
drug or other illegal thing.
2: Never
physically resist a police officer. Physical resistance is
almost always illegal (unless the police are using excessive
force against you, then you may offer "reasonable force"
in self defense- and you will nearly never convince anyone
that you correctly responded with force) . Remember: You SAY
"I do not consent" - you DO nothing to resist.
3: When
you are a suspect in a criminal case, NEVER give any oral
or written statements to the police, and never sign anything.
Do not give written statements to the police. Do not give
verbal statements to the police. Do not talk to them at all,
except to say "My lawyer has told me not to answer any
questions." The police will try to tell you it may help
you if you confess. LET YOUR LAWYER DECIDE WHAT WILL HELP
YOU! When they ask you a question, you ask to see your attorney.
The sole exception: You must provide the police with your
legal name, date of birth, and address for identification
purposes. It is illegal for you to fail to do so upon request.
4: If
you have been drinking alcoholic beverages, avoid the police
if at all possible. If a police officer smells alcohol on
your breath, you are very likely to be arrested for DWI (if
you are driving) or public intoxication (if you are not driving).
If you must have contact with a police officer when you have
been drinking, try to keep the contact as short as possible
and try not to let the officer smell your breath. Never under
any circumstances argue with a police officer if you have
been drinking. That's a guaranteed trip to jail. (SEE FOLLOWING
ARTICLE ON DWI)
5: Do
not be a jerk to police officers. Be polite. Police have
far to much power in the streets for you and I to smart off
to them. The streets are their "home field".
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