It is critical to learn how to respond when interacting with police officers. The police are safe people
to turn to if you need help. If you are lost
or if you are in a situation that just doesn't seem right.
If someone asks you to do something and you are not sure if you should you can ask a police officer.
Police
Officers are also in the community to stop crime. You may be stopped and asked some questions. Below are some tips and insights
for
responding to officers. These tips were authored and produced by ARC of US. I have only retyped
them in this format. They have a great three fold flyer that can be reproduced for free on their website that is titled "Know
your Rights."
Feel free to share this information just make sure that you leave ARC's information
on it
Susan F. Rzucidlo
*********************************************
WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM STOPPED BY THE POLICE?
Sometimes you may be stopped by police
even if you did NOTHING wrong. Police often just want to know who you are, where you are going or where you have been.
TIP: When you meet a police officer, Don't be afraid. Stay calm. Don't
run away. Let the police know you have a disability and if you need help.
Tell police your name and address.
Give police a phone number of someone to call or your ID card if you need help.
You are usually free to go
after you answer the questions.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS IF YOU GET ARRESTED
You have rights. For example, you have the right to vote, to marry and to work. Did you know that you also have rights if
you are arrested?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that says you should not be treated
differently because you have a disability. But, if you get arrested, you may need to be helped differently. Police, lawyers
and judges may need to talk slower, use simple words and take more time to explain things.
If you do a crime,
you can be punished just like anyone else. If you did not do a crime, but someone says you did, tell the police, the lawyer
and the judge that you did not do a crime. Don't admit to a crime you did not do!
If you are arrested,
the ADA can help you. It tells police, lawyers and judges to treat you fairly and to help you understand your rights.
This document provides general information to promote voluntary compliance with the ADA. It was prepared under a grant
from the U.S. Department of Justice. While the Disability Rights Section has reviewed its contents, any opinions or interpretations
in the document are those of The Arc and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Department of Justice. The ADA itself
and the Department's ADA regulations should be considered for further, more specific guidance.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM ARRESTED?
Joe is doing some grocery shopping. While Joe is
at the store, he meets a stranger who asks him to hide some groceries in his jacket. The stranger told Joe he would be his
friend if he would help him. Joe agreed to help since he wanted a new friend.
TIP: Watch out for people who ask you to do crimes. Ask someone you trust (like a parent or a friend) to help
you know what to do.
Taking something without paying for it is a crime. If you are caught doing a crime,
you could be arrested, even if someone else told you to do the crime.
If you are arrested, the police handcuff
you and search you.
The police officer tells you your rights.
The police officer asks if you understand
your rights and if you want a lawyer.
The police put you in the police car and take you to jail.
TIP: If you are arrested and do not understand your rights, ASK FOR A LAWYER. Do
not say anything to the police until you talk to a lawyer. You may need a lawyer even if you did nothing wrong. You Don't
need money to get a lawyer.
NOTE: Do you know what other crimes can get you arrested?
Here
are some examples:
• hanging around one place for a long time without
a reason to be there
• taking or selling drugs
• being drunk in public
• breaking into
someone's house or business
• writing checks to pay for something
when you have no money in the bank
• helping someone else do a crime
WHAT HAPPENS IF I GO TO JAIL?
In jail, the police search you
again.
NOTE: The police may take you to the police precinct instead of jail to search you, take your fingerprints
and your picture.
The police take everything out of your pockets. You won't get your things back until
you leave jail. Your fingerprints are taken. Your picture is taken.
You can make ONE completed phone call.
TIP: In jail, call a parent or a friend who can help you.
ASK FOR A LAWYER
Your lawyer talks to you and will help you tell the judge what happened.
TIP: Let your lawyer know you have a disability. This will help your lawyer help you in court.
Ask your lawyer to talk slower and repeat things if you can't understand what is being said.
If the court
lets you give them bail money, and you have enough money to give them, you won't have to stay in jail.
If you
don't have enough money to give the court, you will have to stay in jail until your day in court.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I GO TO COURT?
You will go to court to talk to the judge about the crime.
Your lawyer goes with you to court to tell the judge your side of the story.
The judge asks you if
you did the crime. Your lawyer helps you know what to say to the judge.
The judge decides whether or not
you did the crime. (Sometimes a group of people called a jury will decide this instead of a judge.)
If the
judge thinks you are guilty (that you did do the crime), you will be punished.
If the judge thinks you are
not guilty (that you did not do the crime), then you will not be punished and are free to go.
The Arc of the United States
1010 Wayne Avenue,
Suite 650
Silver Spring, MD 20910
info@thearc.org
