Do not speak to law enforcement officers in the US.

Disclaimer: US specific general guidance, not specific legal advice. For legal advice pertaining to your specific situation, talk to an attorney. Do not speak to law enforcement officers.

Image: Lined paper titled Should You Speak To Law Enforcement Officers?

A drawn flowchart with the titled situation: Law enforcement officers would like to speak with you. All answers and responses eventually lead to Do not speak to law enforcement officers.

Are you being detained?

  • If yes, is your lawyer present?
  • If you don’t know, ask “Am I being detained?”
    • If the law enforcement officer says yes, you are being detained. Is your lawyer present?
    • If the law enforcement officer says no, you are NOT being detained. Ask “am I free to go?”
      • If the law enforcement officer says yes, leave immediatelyDo not speak to law enforcement officers.
      • If the law enforcement officer says no, you are being detained. Is your lawyer present?
  • If no, ask “Am I free to go?”
    • If the law enforcement officer says yes, leave immediatelyDo not speak to law enforcement officers.
    • If the law enforcement officer says no, you are being detained. Is your lawyer present?

If you are being detained…

Is your lawyer present?

  • No – demand to speak to an attorney. Do not speak to law enforcement officers.
  • Yes:
    • Does your lawyer think you should talk to law enforcement officers?
      • No: Do not speak to law enforcement officers.
      • Yes: Fire your lawyer. Do not speak to law enforcement officers.

The only things you need ever say to law enforcement are:

  • Am I being detained?
  • Am I free to go?
  • I would like to speak to an attorney.

Credit:

Twitter, @oaklandElle.

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