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There have been several threads on people who OC and getting stopped by police for it. Some have turned out OK (nice chat with the LEO) and others have not (ie. LEO coming out with guns draw, having OC person lay on floor, being verbally abusive, etc..)
The threads have given a slew of information (document stuff, lawyer up, sue) and have also given a slew of LEO bashing along with spinning off various case laws, what the law is, etc...
Seems like the same stuff is repeated over and over. Granted it happens to different members and some members here may be "newer" than others and thus may not have read the older threads.
So with that in mind perhaps a sticky called An OC Guide to Protecting Your Rights is in order. Here is a list of items that I have picked up from various members and other sites regarding this issue.
DOCUMENTING THE EVENT
- Write a letter to the manager (and CC corporate office) of any establishment (if any) with security cameras where the incident takes place. Ask them to not destroy/re-record the video footage at location x for date y for time z as they may be used in an upcoming civil/criminal trial. Sign letter, make a copy and send via CERTIFIED MAIL with SIGNATURE confirmation.
· Write down a complete time line of the events from before the incident, the incident and post incident.
· Where were you coming from?
· What were you doing prior to the event?
· Why did you stop at this location?
· Who was with you?
· What did the LEO say?
· How many of them were there?
· What were their names? Badge #? LEO Agency?
· What occurred?
· How did you feel during this event?
· What did you do after the event?
· How did you feel after the event?
· SIGN & DATE this statement.
- Have any other witness in your party also write down what they saw. Have them SIGN & DATE their statement.
- Have the statements notarized ASAP.
- Take pictures of what you were wearing when the incident occurred
- If possible carry with you an audio recording device. Under Indiana Law only one party needs to know that a recording is occurring for it to be legal. (IE. Since you are recording you ARE that one party). Remember if you have a cell phone chances are good it can record audio/video and take pictures as well use it!
ACTION TO TAKE
- File formal complaint with LEO agency and obtain file complaint number
- Contact <<insert your county name here>> County Bar Association and ask them who specializes in Civil Rights cases.
- Contact your attorney which you may have on retainer or have dealt with before.
INFO TO HAVE ON HAND & REMEMBER WHEN TALKING TO LEO
If you are being arrested; involved in any type of firearm issue; or anything in which an LEO is in your presence
My name is <<insert your name>>. I feared for my life. I request legal counsel before I answer any questions. (Plus read the statements below)
Non-Waiver of 4th and 14th Amendment Rights Statement
I have been advised never to waive a constitutional right protecting my liberty. In respect for the wisdom of our founding fathers who knew well the dangers of a dictatorial government.
I hereby invoke my rights as guaranteed by the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.
I do not consent to a search of my person, my belongings, my automobile, my home, or any other of my items. I also do not consent to any further detention of my person, my belongings, my automobile, or any other of my items.
If you search or detain me without the requisite justification under the law, you are hereby advised that I will take all appropriate legal action against you personally, as well as against your employer.
Non-Waiver of 5th, 6th and 14th Amendment Rights Statement
I have been advised never to waive a constitutional right protecting my liberty. In respect for the wisdom of our founding fathers who knew well the dangers of a dictatorial government. I hereby invoke my rights as guaranteed by the Fifth, Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.
I hereby invoke my Sixth Amendment right to an attorney as well as my Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. I will therefore remain silent until an attorney is provided.
If you question or interrogate me in the absence of my attorney, you are hereby advised that I will take all appropriate legal action against you personally, as well as against your employer.
The threads have given a slew of information (document stuff, lawyer up, sue) and have also given a slew of LEO bashing along with spinning off various case laws, what the law is, etc...
Seems like the same stuff is repeated over and over. Granted it happens to different members and some members here may be "newer" than others and thus may not have read the older threads.
So with that in mind perhaps a sticky called An OC Guide to Protecting Your Rights is in order. Here is a list of items that I have picked up from various members and other sites regarding this issue.
DOCUMENTING THE EVENT
- Write a letter to the manager (and CC corporate office) of any establishment (if any) with security cameras where the incident takes place. Ask them to not destroy/re-record the video footage at location x for date y for time z as they may be used in an upcoming civil/criminal trial. Sign letter, make a copy and send via CERTIFIED MAIL with SIGNATURE confirmation.
· Write down a complete time line of the events from before the incident, the incident and post incident.
· Where were you coming from?
· What were you doing prior to the event?
· Why did you stop at this location?
· Who was with you?
· What did the LEO say?
· How many of them were there?
· What were their names? Badge #? LEO Agency?
· What occurred?
· How did you feel during this event?
· What did you do after the event?
· How did you feel after the event?
· SIGN & DATE this statement.
- Have any other witness in your party also write down what they saw. Have them SIGN & DATE their statement.
- Have the statements notarized ASAP.
- Take pictures of what you were wearing when the incident occurred
- If possible carry with you an audio recording device. Under Indiana Law only one party needs to know that a recording is occurring for it to be legal. (IE. Since you are recording you ARE that one party). Remember if you have a cell phone chances are good it can record audio/video and take pictures as well use it!
ACTION TO TAKE
- File formal complaint with LEO agency and obtain file complaint number
- Contact <<insert your county name here>> County Bar Association and ask them who specializes in Civil Rights cases.
- Contact your attorney which you may have on retainer or have dealt with before.
INFO TO HAVE ON HAND & REMEMBER WHEN TALKING TO LEO
If you are being arrested; involved in any type of firearm issue; or anything in which an LEO is in your presence
My name is <<insert your name>>. I feared for my life. I request legal counsel before I answer any questions. (Plus read the statements below)
Non-Waiver of 4th and 14th Amendment Rights Statement
I have been advised never to waive a constitutional right protecting my liberty. In respect for the wisdom of our founding fathers who knew well the dangers of a dictatorial government.
I hereby invoke my rights as guaranteed by the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.
I do not consent to a search of my person, my belongings, my automobile, my home, or any other of my items. I also do not consent to any further detention of my person, my belongings, my automobile, or any other of my items.
If you search or detain me without the requisite justification under the law, you are hereby advised that I will take all appropriate legal action against you personally, as well as against your employer.
Non-Waiver of 5th, 6th and 14th Amendment Rights Statement
I have been advised never to waive a constitutional right protecting my liberty. In respect for the wisdom of our founding fathers who knew well the dangers of a dictatorial government. I hereby invoke my rights as guaranteed by the Fifth, Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.
I hereby invoke my Sixth Amendment right to an attorney as well as my Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. I will therefore remain silent until an attorney is provided.
If you question or interrogate me in the absence of my attorney, you are hereby advised that I will take all appropriate legal action against you personally, as well as against your employer.