Almost busted for scanning near crime scene

[Dak48]

Many people seem to think you *have* to talk to the police. You don't have to talk to the police and have the right to refuse to answer questions. I think it is part of this silly piece of paper called the Consitution. Maybe some of you should read about it, before giving the OP grief for not answering questions.

[tengoindiamike]

Because without knowing the full ramifications of what could happen had I disclosed the fact that I was indeed trying to observe a crime in progress with the assistance of a police scanner, I figured it was in my best interest to not be a potential witness against myself and to simply refuse politely to talk to the police.

[C138Kaysone]

well even if they showed up, ill be straight up honest why i was there and how i ended up there, im not going to lie and put myself in the position where i could be a possible suspect to the police, i wouldn't care if they took my scanner or if they give me a nice warning, i wont ever do it again.

[MetroMike]

It's not like OCSO is a busy agency. I'm sure this cop had nothing better to do at "1630 local" than chase down a lead on a fight or a suspicious vehicle called in by a concerned neighbor. Show up at my house? Ask me questions? Who do these cops think they are, public servants trying to do their jobs? I'd tell that deputy to get the hell off my property!

But if my neighbor's dog craps on my lawn ONE MORE TIME, that damn cop better show up within five minutes and solve the problem for me. Otherwise I may actually have to go next door and have a civil conversation with my neighbor about it.

[sarcasm]

Anyone else wonder why more and more agencies are progressing to encrypted comms? I haven't the faintest idea....

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by Dak48

Many people seem to think you *have* to talk to the police. You don't have to talk to the police and have the right to refuse to answer questions. I think it is part of this silly piece of paper called the Consitution. Maybe some of you should read about it, before giving the OP grief for not answering questions.

It depends on where you are and what is asked.

Try "not talking" the next time and officer stops you and let us know how that works out for you.

[SQP]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

It depends on where you are and what is asked.

Try "not talking" the next time and officer stops you and let us know how that works out for you.

Any law STUDENT will tell you-KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dak48]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

It depends on where you are and what is asked.

Try "not talking" the next time and officer stops you and let us know how that works out for you.

It's been done before. I used to be LE, and heard it many times. Usually it was also followed by a request for a lawyer. There is nothing that says you have to answer LE's questions. It has something to do with self-incrimination. It's a right. Guaranteed by the Constitution.

Let me illustrate an example. You get stopped for speeding, the cop says "do you know who fast you were going?" Do you know why they ask that question? They want you to admit to speeding. It strengthens their case, and you can sure bet when you go to court, that acknowledgment will be mentioned when the prosecutor reads the details of the citation.

Another example, you're stopped for DUI, and the cop says "do your abc's backwards," you most certainly do not want to say "dude, I can't even do that sober." Self admission.

There is a reason to not talk to the police. There is a video cited in this thread, in which a law professor speaks about not talking to the police. Then he invites a cop to the podium to speak. Whats the first thing the cop says? "Never ever talk to the police. We want you to talk. We want to record everything you say and use it against you."

Why do you think there is such a thing as a Miranda warning?

As former LE, I refuse to answer questions asked of me by LE. I won't even show my disabled commission card to LE, nor will I identify myself as former LE. It may not seem right, but it is a right that every person in the United States has.

As for doing it myself, I was involved in a motorcycle accident in 2006, the officer asked me to make a statement. I refused. It went down on the report as "refused to make statement." Why did I refuse to make a statement? I had been knocked out, I had no idea what had happened. Can you see me rambling, not making sense, and the cop listening to everything I say? I know a car hit me, and took off without stopping. That much I knew, but details? Nah, I was out, couldn't remember squat, I wasn't even sure what intersection I was at, and I was just a few blocks from home.

There was a case here in Nebraska recently, where 6 people were released from prison, for a murder and brutal rape that they did not commit. Yet, five of them, were coerced to make a confession, while one held out and maintained his innocence. Guess what? His request for a DNA examination of evidence, ruled that he, and the other five, were nowhere near the crime scene. So how did all this happen? They talked to the police, the police lied, revealed facts of evidence to these people that were withheld from public knowledge. I've included a link to the stories about this case, take the time to read it, understand it, then tell me talking to the police is okay.

http://www.journalstar.com/special_r...esumed_guilty/

/end soapbox rant

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by SQP

Any law STUDENT will tell you-KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I said, let me know how that works out for you.

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by Dak48

It's been done before. I used to be LE, and heard it many times. Usually it was also followed by a request for a lawyer. There is nothing that says you have to answer LE's questions. It has something to do with self-incrimination. It's a right. Guaranteed by the Constitution.

How do you request a lawyer if you don't say anything?

[Dak48]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

How do you request a lawyer if you don't say anything?

Wow, what a smart-aleck response? Was that your best?

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by Dak48

Wow, what a smart-aleck response? Was that your best?

Excuse me?

First:

Originally Posted by Dak48

Many people seem to think you *have* to talk to the police. You don't have to talk to the police and have the right to refuse to answer questions. I think it is part of this silly piece of paper called the Consitution. Maybe some of you should read about it, before giving the OP grief for not answering questions.

So I answered:
It depends on where you are and what is asked.

Try "not talking" the next time and officer stops you and let us know how that works out for you.

(Note: "Not Talking" means "NOT TALKING", a very different action from "Not Answering Questions", or "Not Offering Information".)

Then:

Originally Posted by SQP

Any law STUDENT will tell you-KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I said:
As I said, let me know how that works out for you.

(Note: "Keeping your mouth shut" would infer "Not talking" which is very different from "Not Answering Questions", or "Not Offering Information".)

Then:

Originally Posted by Dak48

It's been done before. I used to be LE, and heard it many times. Usually it was also followed by a request for a lawyer. There is nothing that says you have to answer LE's questions. It has something to do with self-incrimination. It's a right. Guaranteed by the Constitution.

So I requested clarification:
How do you request a lawyer if you don't say anything?

Then you chimed in:

Originally Posted by Dak48

Wow, what a smart-aleck response? Was that your best?

So I posted this to explain.

Any questions??

[Dak48]

Yeah, I have one more.

Are you always this asinine? What point are you trying to prove? Are you that unhappy with life that you have to attack peoples thoughts and opinion? They do have happy meds for that you know?

Sorry, that was four questions wasn't it?

Oops, that was another question too.

[JoeyC]

Some people don't have the smarts to know what to and what not to say to the police. Giving generic advise such as DO NOT TALK TO THE POLICE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES is assinine advice. Gives the impression that the cops are out to CHARGE YOU WITH A CRIME at any cost. DUHHH, sometimes talking to the cops is in your best interest. You just witness a little old lady robbed and beaten by some thugs, yet DON'T EVER TALK TO THE POLICE is what you've learned. Brilliant advice.
Sometimes I can't figure out if some people are just ignorant, stupid or just natural a-holes...

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by Dak48

Yeah, I have one more.

Are you always this asinine?

Nope, only when someone does not read what I posted, and then criticizes me for what they THOUGHT they read.

Originally Posted by Dak48

What point are you trying to prove?

That some people don't read the words in front of them, (and others give foolish advice)

Originally Posted by Dak48

Are you that unhappy with life that you have to attack peoples thoughts and opinion?

Perfectly happy.
Where did I attack anyone. (Maybe it was your own post your were reading?)

Originally Posted by Dak48

They do have happy meds for that you know?

I am sure you are the expert on that.

Originally Posted by Dak48

Sorry, that was four questions wasn't it?

Oops, that was another question too.

Ah, you can count.

Have a great day!

[SQP]

[QUOTE=JoeyC;1079547]Some people don't have the smarts to know what to and what not to say to the police.

That's why-YOU KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!!!!!!!!!!!


Giving generic advise such as DO NOT TALK TO THE POLICE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES is assinine advice.

Then you better not EVER become a defendant!!!

Gives the impression that the cops are out to CHARGE YOU WITH A CRIME at any cost.

YEAH..

DUHHH, sometimes talking to the cops is in your best interest. You just witness a little old lady robbed and beaten by some thugs, yet DON'T EVER TALK TO THE POLICE is what you've learned. Brilliant advice.


This posting was in regards to,if you were a DEFENDANT/SUSPECT,not a witness.

[SQP]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

As I said, let me know how that works out for you.

OK Martha Stewart--OOOOPPS,I mean N_Jay.

[k7aab]

something comes to mind here, driving by one time - dumb , the 2nd time - dumber, the 3rd time - retire your genes we don't need your offspring.

And never never take advice from a law student.

[k7aab]

The press has credentials and protection (most times) by law, and call chasers usually will cause a law to be changed such as no mobile scanners in cars or on person as in some areas. Police do have a strong influence on the creation of such laws and pissing them off only makes them look down on anyone 10x worse the next time this happens. And not answering a question an officer asks you may imply you in whatever crime had occurred until you can prove yourself innocent.

[SQP]

Originally Posted by k7aab

And never never take advice from a law student.

I think you knew what I meant

[fnnm400]

There is one simple answer here, don't do some wrong or stupid and you will not come in contact with the law.!!!