Police Encounters
Your constitutional rights during police stops, searches, arrests, and interactions with law enforcement.
Miranda Rights
If police arrest you and want to question you, they must first tell you: you have the right to remain silent, anything you say can be used against you in court, and you have the right to a lawyer. The...
Search and Seizure
The 4th Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures. In most cases, police need a warrant signed by a judge before they can search your home, car, phone, or belongings.There are exc...
Recording Police
You have the right to record police officers performing their duties in public spaces. This right comes from the 1st Amendment and has been affirmed by federal appeals courts across the country.You ca...
Excessive Force
Police are allowed to use reasonable force to make an arrest, protect themselves, or protect others. But they cannot use more force than necessary. When police use force that goes beyond what the situ...
False Arrest
Police cannot arrest you without probable cause — a reasonable belief, based on facts, that you committed a crime. An arrest without probable cause is a false arrest and violates your 4th Amendment ri...