user
Accomplished Advocate
Here's the text of the letter I wrote, referenced in a recent thread. Feel free to copy & paste into your word processor, reformat, and print. Just a suggestion, keep a copy in the car with your registration certificate. Make sure you've got the name and phone number of an attorney whom you trust. Also make sure you read, understand, and agree with what it says before you start handing it out to cops, willy-nilly. That's especially true of the part that says, "I know you may arrest me" - my view is that you're better off spending one or two nights in jail than twenty years in the penitentiary, but that's just my opinion.
To Law Enforcement Officers:
I have been instructed by my attorney not to discuss the facts of any case with anyone other than my attorney unless and until I am given the opportunity to consult with and be advised by my attorney, and to have my attorney present for any statement to be given or interrogation to be conducted: I shall not answer any questions other than for identification. This applies regardless of the nature or duration of the detention or arrest. I do not wish to evade or interfere with any legitimate investigation, nor does my refusal to answer represent any disrespect for you or your office.
My attorney has also instructed me never to consent to a warrantless search of my person or property, and has instructed me to tell you that there will be absolutely no waiver of the right to see and be served with a warrant in proper form prior to any such search.
My attorney has warned me, and I understand that, you may determine that this is a situation in which you feel you need to make an arrest; I understand that you may make such an arrest regardless of anything I may tell you. I have further been instructed to submit to your authority fully in the event you do elect to make an arrest. My submission, however, is for the purpose of avoiding unnecessary confrontation, and is neither a waiver of, or done with prejudice to, my rights under applicable civil and criminal laws.
I am represented by the attorney named below, and that am the client of this attorney for all issues related to the detention, search and seizure of me and my property. I ask that you contact my attorney promptly upon taking me into custody, before any search of my property, and before making any attempt to question me about the facts of any case. Unless you feel you have probable cause to place me into custody at this time, I respectfully request that you advise me that I am free to leave right now.
My name is: ______________________________________________________
I reside at: ________________________________________________________
My attorney’s name is: ______________________________________________
My Attorney’s telephone number is: ___________________________________