Know Your Rights - A Legal Guide To
Survival In Post 911 America
http://www.counterpunch.org First
Published 1-25-02
Know Your Rights - A Legal Guide To Survival In Post 911 America
By The National Lawyers Guild
Counterpunch Magazine
2-25-2
What rights do I have?
Whether or not you're a citizen, you have these constitutional
rights: The Right to Remain Silent. The Fifth Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution gives every person the right to remain silent in the
face of questions posed by any police officer or government agent.
The Right to be Free from "Unreasonable Searches and Seizures".
The Fourth Amendment is supposed to protect your privacy. Without a
warrant, police or government agents are not allowed to search your
home or office and you can refuse to let them in. Know, however, that
it is easy for the government to monitor your e-mail, telephone
calls, and conversations in your home, office, car or meeting place.
The Right to Advocate for Change.
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the rights of
groups and individuals who advocate changes in laws, government
practices, and even the form of government. However, the INS can
target non-citizens for deportation because of their First Amendment
activities, as long as it could deport them for other reasons.
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS CANNOT BE SUSPENDED- EVEN DURING A STATE OF
EMERGENCY OR WARTIME.
What should I do if agents come to question me?
1. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TALK TO THE POLICE, FBI, INS, OR ANY OTHER LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENT OR INVESTIGATOR.
You are not legally obligated to talk to anyone: on the street, at
your home or office, if you've been arrested, or even if you're in
jail. If you are driving a motor vehicle, you are required to show
your license and registration. Only a judge has the legal authority
to order you to answer
questions. If you are contacted, tell the agent you want to consult
an attorney. They should stop trying to question you once you say
this. You do not have to already have a lawyer. Remember to get the
name, agency, and telephone number of any investigator who calls or
visits you, and call the NLG, or a criminal or immigration lawyer,
before deciding whether to answer questions.
2. YOU CAN SAY NO!
If the police, FBI, INS or anyone else tries to enter your home
without a warrant, say, "I will not talk to you until I consult an
attorney." Many people are afraid that if they refuse to cooperate,
it will appear as if they have something to hide, or think that they
can educate the police. Don't be fooled. Talking to the FBI can be
very dangerous. You can never tell how a seemingly harmless bit of
information might be used to hurt you or someone else. The FBI is not
just trying to find "terrorists", but is gathering information on
immigrants and activists who have done nothing wrong. And keep in
mind that even though they are allowed to and do lie to you, lying to
a federal agent is a crime. The safest things to say are "I am going
to remain silent", "I want to speak to my lawyer", and "I do not
consent to a search."
3. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LET POLICE OR OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS INTO
YOUR HOME OR OFFICE UNLESS THEY HAVE A WARRANT.
Demand to see the warrant. If they have a search warrant, you cannot
stop them from entering and searching, but you should still tell them
that you do not consent to a search. This will limit the search to
what is specified in the warrant. If they ask you to give them
documents, your computer, or anything else, look to see if the item
is listed in the warrant. If it is not, do not consent to them taking
it without talking to a lawyer. An arrest warrant does not allow them
to search your home or office unless you consent to that. Say "I do
not consent to a search." Do not answer any questions. Call the NLG
or a criminal lawyer.
4. IF YOU ARE STOPPED ON THE STREET, ASK IF YOU ARE FREE TO GO.
If you are stopped by the police, ask them why. Remember, they are
allowed to lie to you. Ask "Am I free to go?" If they say yes, walk
away. Legally, you do not have to give your name unless they suspect
you of a crime, but it may be expedient to do so-- however, be aware
that police/ agents may be carrying a list of deportable aliens, and
that giving a false name could be a crime. If you are not free to go,
you are being detained, but this does not necessarily mean you will
be arrested. They are entitled to frisk you.
A frisk is a pat down on the outside of your clothing. Do not consent
to any further search. But if they continue, or in some other way
violate your rights, stay calm and don't physically resist police or
agents. You will only be hurt and arrested. Stick to "I don't
consent, I want to speak to my lawyer." and call a lawyer at your
first opportunity. You do not have to answer questions if you are
detained or even if you are arrested.
5. ANYTHING YOU SAY TO THE POLICE, FBI, INS, ETC. CAN BE USED AGAINST
YOU AND OTHERS.
They may pressure you by saying it's unpatriotic not to answer, or
that people with nothing to hide would talk. Remember, however, that
even innocent people who have done nothing wrong may say things that
the government will use against them or others. That is why the right
not to talk is a fundamental right under our Constitution. Repeat "I
want to talk to my lawyer" to any officer who questions you. What if
the FBI threatens me with a grand jury subpoena? It is common for the
FBI to threaten you with a subpoena to get you to talk to them. Don't
be intimidated. This is
frequently an empty threat, and if they are going to subpoena you,
they will do so anyway. Receiving a subpoena to testify before a
grand jury doesn't mean that you are suspected of a crime. And you
may have legal grounds to quash the subpoena or to refuse to answer
questions before the grand jury. If you do receive a subpoena, call
the NLG or a criminal lawyer.
How should I respond to threatening letters or calls? If your home or
office is broken into, or threats have been made against you, your
organization, or someone you work with, share this information with
everyone affected. Take immediate steps to increase personal and
office security. You should discuss with your group and with a lawyer
whether and how to report such incidents to the police and the
advisability of taking
other legal action. If you decide to make a police report, do not do
so without a lawyer present. See the contact information on the front
for numbers you can call if you receive threats. If you suspect
government agents are monitoring you, or are harassing you, report
this to the NLG.
What if I'm under 18?
Minors too have the right to remain silent; you do not have to talk
to the police, probation officers, or school officials. If you are
detained at a community detention facility or Juvenile Hall, you
normally must be released to a parent or guardian. If charges are
filed against you, you have the right to have a lawyer appointed to
represent you at no cost. 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, etc., just so long as those activities do not
disrupt classes. Students can be suspended or expelled from school
only if they violate the law or disrupt school activities. You have
the right to a hearing, with your parents and an attorney present,
before being suspended or expelled.
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 a specific reason, but
in reality, doesn't give you much protection. 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. 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.
What if I am not a citizen?
1. CARRY WITH YOU THE NAME AND NUMBER OF AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY WHO
WILL TAKE YOUR CALLS.
If you are a legal permanent resident, you should carry your green
card as well. Navigating the immigration system by yourself is
extremely difficult. INS will not explain your options to you. You do
not have to reveal your immigration status or answer any other
questions. As soon as you encounter an INS agent, call your attorney.
If you can't do it right away, keep trying.
2. KNOW AND ASSERT YOUR RIGHTS!
INS will not do it for you. Currently, all non-citizens have the
following rights, regardless of your immigration status:
a. You have the right to speak to an attorney before answering any
questions or signing any documents. You have the right to call an
attorney or your family if you are detained and you have the right to
be visited by an attorney in detention. You have the right to have
your attorney with you at immigration hearings with INS. You do not,
however, have the right to a government-appointed attorney, so you
must hire one or find someone who will represent you for free. Call
the numbers listed on this pamphlet for help.
b. If you are arrested or detained, the INS must decide in 48 hours
whether to put you into immigration proceedings and whether to keep
you in custody or to release you on bond. Under a new regulation
issued on September 17,
the INS has an "additional reasonable period of time" in the event
of "an emergency or other extraordinary circumstance" to make the
decisions whether to keep you or release you. Make sure your attorney
talks to national immigration rights organizations if this is the
reason INS is keeping you in detention (see the contact numbers on
the front.)
c. You have the right to request release from detention even if INS
hasn't said why it wants to deport you. In most cases you have the
right to request release from detention by paying bond if necessary,
or to request a bond hearing before an immigration judge.
d. In most cases, you have the right to a hearing before an
immigration judge to determine whether you have violated the
immigration laws. If you have criminal convictions, were picked up by
INS when you came into the U.S., or have been ordered deported in the
past, you must talk to an attorney about whether you have this right
and what other legal alternatives you might have.
IF YOU DO NOT DEMAND THESE RIGHTS OR IF YOU SIGN DOCUMENTS WAIVING
YOUR RIGHTS, THE INS MAY DEPORT YOU BEFORE YOU SEE EITHER AN ATTORNEY
OR A JUDGE.
Leaving the U.S. in this way may have serious consequences for your
ability to later enter or to gain legal immigration status in the
U.S. However, the immigration laws are complex and many changes are
being proposed in response to September 11, so the above information
may change. You must consult an immigration specialist attorney to
know your rights.
3. TALK TO AN IMMIGRATION LAWYER BEFORE LEAVING THE U.S.
Some non-citizens may be barred from coming back to the U.S., perhaps
permanently. This includes some lawful permanent residents and
applicants for green cards.
4. IF YOU ARE A FOREIGN NATIONAL ARRESTED IN THE U.S., YOU HAVE THE
RIGHT TO CALL YOUR CONSULATE or to have the police inform the
consulate of your arrest. The police must allow your consul to visit
or speak with you. Your consul might assist you in finding a lawyer
or offer other help, such as contacting your family. You also have
the right to refuse help from your consulate.
The rights outlined above apply to non-citizens who are inside the
United States. Foreign nationals at the border (air or land) who are
seeking to enter the United States are subject to additional
restrictions and do not have all the same rights.
This legal handbook was prepared by National Lawyers' Guild's Post 9-
11 Project: http://www.nlg.org/post911
They can be reached at (212)
505-9119. NLG National Immigration Project:
Help for attorneys and help finding immigration attorneys (617) 227-
9727. ___
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First Published 1-25-02