People often think that they have to do what the police say. You don’t. It is a foundational principle of a free society like ours that you don’t have to do what the state (i.e. cops) tell you to do except under limited circumstances.
Have I Been Arrested?
You have to do what the police tell you if you have been arrested. But an “arrest” is not a “stop.” People are “under arrest” far less often than they think. If a cop pulls you over in your car or stops you on the street to ask you questions, you are not under arrest. You can (and should!) refuse to answer any questions. Be polite but don’t answer questions.
June 30, 2011
Criminal Defense