Rules to Follow When Interacting with the Police

Ideally, you will live your life and never have any interaction with the police beyond a traffic ticket or seeing them at a public event. Unfortunately, for a lot of people, that is wishful thinking. If you are in need of a criminal defense lawyer in Brunswick County, North Carolina and think further interaction with law enforcement is likely, follow these rules.

Be Polite and Courteous

This tip applies even if the Officer is less than friendly or even aggressive towards you. Being rude will only irritate them, which never goes well for the person being arrested and a little courteousness can diffuse most law enforcement interactions. The important aspect of this tip is to always be mindful that your actions could escalate the situation and you want to avoid that if possible. Stay calm and keep your emotions in check. Do not move suddenly and keep your hands in the open and extended. Do as the Officers say immediately.

Officers Are No Touch Zones

You may think that by putting your arm on an Officer you are showing them a friendly gesture. For them, since you are the person in trouble, physical contact is a potential threat. Do not do it. If you do inadvertently make contact with an Officer, do what they say and immediately apologize.

Resisting Does Not Work

Resisting arrest only results in at least one more charge against you. Plus, it is futile. You will not win. Also, remember that resisting can come in many forms, including compliance actions the Officer infers are designed to resist. So, for example, you not following an order completely could be construed as resisting arrest. You moving too slowly can also be interpreted as resisting.

The exception to this is if you have a physical reason you cannot comply or have to move slowly. If you do, tell the officer what it is and then attempt to comply. Make sure you follow their instructions when they attempt to accommodate you. If there is an incident, remain calm and relay it to your Criminal defense attorney in Brunswick County North Carolina as soon as you are able.

Do Not Talk Voluntarily

Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You hear that on television a lot, but it is the absolute truth. The law says you do not have to talk to the police when you are under questioning for a crime. You also cannot be prosecuted for refusing to give a statement. You can be prosecuted if you give misleading or overly false statements and it will make a lot more work for your Criminal defense lawyer in Brunswick County North Carolina.

No Searches, Seizures or Samples

You do not have to consent to the first two or give the third. Be polite about it but state firmly that you want to discuss their request with your attorney

Hopefully, you never have the need for a criminal defense lawyer in Brunswick County North Carolina. If you do, however, it helps to know how to interact with the police.

Weston Barnes is a write and an avid reader. When he's not writing about business, marketing, health, pets, or relationships, he's immersed in his latest book.