Criminal Justice

Front 1

Do not

Back 1

strike an officer or resist arrest. If the officer is abusive to you or others, try to get the badge number of the officer and if possible, get the officer’s name. Be attentive and try to remember the specifics of the abuse involved.

Front 2

Do not

Back 2

resist the officer when he or she is searching you (e.g., patting your body down) and/or your car.

Front 3

Do request

Back 3

with fingerprinting and booking procedures once at the police station. Even if these procedures are personally offensive to you, such as a strip search, no good can come from physical resistance. If given the choice between certain sobriety tests, make sure you understand your state’s penalty for refusing such tests before you make that decision.

Front 4

Do request

Back 4

(if not offered) the right to make a telephone call and use it to contact someone (parent / relative / friend) who can get a lawyer or assistance in posting bail and taking you home. If you cannot afford a lawyer, tell the judge before whom you will be required to appear. You can request release on your own recognizance and the judge will promptly make the decision on whether to grant your request.

Front 5

Do not

Back 5

respond to detailed questions by the police – beyond such harmless basics as name, address, telephone number, and date of birth. You cannot be penalized for remaining silent.

Front 6

When applicable

Back 6

do immediately mention to the arresting officer any physical condition requiring medication, such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, or diabetes.

Front 7

Be frank and honest

Back 7

in explaining in confidence to your attorney exactly what happened. Counsel is bound by law to respect this confidence, and will be better able to represent you if in possession of all the facts surrounding the incident. Your attorney cannot be compelled to reveal your conversation, even if it involves a confession of guilt.