Subj:	Know Your Rights - A Legal Guide To Survival In Post 911 America
Date:	2/25/02 11:14:41 PM Pacific Standard Time

Rense.com
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. ___
 
http://www.counterpunch.org First Published 1-25-02
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