When cops ask you questions, ask for a lawyer and then STFU:
I am not discussing how I’m doing or where I’m going.
Am I free to leave?
I am not answering any questions.
If they ask to search anything: "I do not consent to a search."
I want to speak to a lawyer.
Invoking your right to silence requires the police to stop questioning you only if you actually stop talking. Refusing to answer individual questions does not clearly invoke your Miranda rights. /1
Saying things like "I'm not answering that" or "no comment" are basically ineffective under US law. It's an invitation to the cops to keep questioning you. You need to make a clear and unambiguous invocation of your right to silence and a lawyer.
As with every #STFUfriday post, I'm a lawyer in the USA. These comments are based on law in the USA. (And they apply to all people in the USA, whether or not they are citizens.) Some US states provide more protections than this. /end
We should print it on driver license size cards and everyone should have it in their wallets on the opposite side of the license/id so they can rehearse this.
Check with your state’s local ACLU website for state specific information .
Also, the EFF surveillance self defense website is worth a read for steps you can take to help protect your devices from unauthorized search. https://ssd.eff.org
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