What to Do if You are Stopped By The Police.

Civil Liberties  Defense Center

The Civil Liberties Defense Center works to confront the attacks on our freedom and to protect the civil rights of all citizens, particularly activists exercising their constitutional rights. The Civil Liberties Defense Center is a nonprofit organization of practicing public interest attorneys and organizers focused on defending and upholding the rights of activists through education, outreach, litigation, and legal support and assistance. The CLDC was founded in January 2003. Corporations are paying for laws to be placed in federal and state statutes that blatantly violate the US and state constitutions. CLDC focuses on challenging and changing these statutes when they are used to censor and eliminate the rights of citizens engaged in political expression. The USA PATRIOT Act (actually an acronym for Uniting & Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept & Obstruct Terrorism) is the largest threat to our civil liberties in modern history. CLDC is a nationally recognized expert on the Act and is frequently requested to speak about its restrictions on our rights and the domestic implications of the US’ “war on terrorism.” In the past year, we’ve given 36 presentations about the USA PATRIOT Act to university audiences, civic groups, conferences, Republican groups, social change and environmental activists, and church groups.

There are 3 distinct categories of

police interference with a citizen’s

liberties: Conversation, Detention

and Arrest. It is important to identify

your situation so you know your

rights, and, remember, anything you

say can and will be used against you!

Stay calm and in control of your

words and actions at all times. 

• Mere Conversation - LEVEL 1

Police officers have the same right as any

other citizen to approach you and inquire

about circumstances of interest. However,

absent any reasonable suspicion that you

are involved in criminal activity, an officer

cannot detain you. 

You do not have to provide identification

to an officer at this level unless you are in a

motor vehicle. 

You do not have to answer any questions.

Determine if you are in a Level 1 situation by

asking if you are free to leave. 

• Detention - LEVEL 2

If an officer reasonably suspects you have

been involved in a crime, they may detain

you for questioning. You may invoke your 5th

amendment rights and remain silent. You

must provide identification upon request at this

level (name, address, d.o.b.). You do not need

to provide your social security number.

Giving a false name is a criminal offense.

You do not have to consent to a search.

However, if the police have probable cause or

a warrant your consent is not required.

If the police say they have a warrant, ask

to see it.

Police may pat down your clothing if

they have a reasonable suspicion that you

are carrying a concealed weapon; do not

physically resist but make it clear that you

do not consent to any further search.

 

What you choose to say to the police is

important—it can be used against you later

and can provide the police with probable cause

to arrest you. 

Don’t run away even if you believe what is

happening to you is unreasonable or unlawful;

this may lead to your arrest. 

Remember officers names and badge

numbers and write down everything about

the incident as soon as possible. 

• Arrest - LEVEL 3

You have the right to remain silent—wait

for your attorney before saying anything. 

Ask for an attorney immediately upon

being taken into custody.

If you refuse to provide a name and address

while in custody, you will not be eligible for

release or a court appointed attorney in most

circumstances.

Within a reasonable time, the police must

allow you to make a phone call to your

attorney and they may not legally listen to

that call—but assume that they will. 

Do not talk to fellow arrestees regarding

the circumstances of the arrest—you never

know who might be listening.

You must be provided adequate medical care

while in custody. If you are on medication,

inform the jail of that fact immediately and

repeatedly.

If you have dietary restrictions for health or

religious reasons, the jail may be required to

provide you with alternative meals. Inform

the jail of your dietary needs as soon as you

arrive. If the jail fails to accommodate those

needs, begin the grievance process immediately. 

What Happens Next?

Take photographs of any injuries right

away. Get medical attention and copies of the

medical reports. 

Either while in custody, or shortly upon your

release, you will be required to appear in court

for an arraignment hearing. 

Plead NOT GUILTY to all charges. Apply

for a court appointed attorney if you so choose.

You will receive a future court date to appear. 

Make contact with your attorney as soon

as possible. It is your responsibility to

remain in contact with your attorney, this

may be frustrating, but will be essential to your

defense! 

If you remain in custody, you have a right to

a jury trial within 60 days in Oregon, or within

30 days in California.

If you choose to go to trial, it may be your

responsibility to locate and secure witnesses on

your behalf. 

If you are found guilty at trial, or elect

to plead guilty, you are allowed to delay

sentencing at least 48 hours. At the sentencing

hearing, you may be ordered to serve jail time,

so be prepared to report to jail immediately.

Civil Liberties
Defense Center

The Civil Liberties Defense Center
works to confront the attacks
on our freedom and to protect
the civil rights of all citizens,
particularly activists exercising
their constitutional rights.

"Injustice anywhere is a
threat to justice everywhere."

                                ~Martin Luther King, Jr. Letter From Birmingham Jail, 4/16/63