Reminder: Oh, Won't You Please Shut Up? (2011)
> The lesson — other than that criminal justice often has little to do with actual justice — is this: <i>for God's sake shut up</i>. Law enforcement agents seeking to interview you are not your friends. You cannot count on "just clearing this one thing up." <i>Demand to talk to a lawyer before talking to the cops.</i> Every time.<p>This is a very good reminder, and everything he says is both important and true. Unfortunately, it's sadly much easier said than done.<p>I know my rights. Both nationally, as well as the specific nuances of New York[0] (both city and state). I have even conducted multiple "Know Your Rights" training events educating people (generally students) about the rights that they do and don't have when speaking with LEOs, and how to exercise them. But even then, when push came to shove and I was in this position, I found myself hesitating and second guessing my knowledge, despite all the practice I had and the trainings I'd helped conduct myself.[1]<p>LEOs - especially Feds - will do everything they can to intimidate you, make you uncomfortable, lower your confidence, etc. It's literally their job to make people like you make mistakes. It sucks, but that's what you're up against.<p>[0] PSA: Did you know that possession of < 27g (<i>not</i> a full ounce) of marijuana is only a criminal offence in NY if "burning or open to public view"? Did you also know that this means that you should never, ever turn out your pockets if a cop asks you, because then you've exposed said contraband to "public view"? Wait for him/her to frisk you, and at least then your lawyer will have a slight chance at getting the charge dismissed.<p>[1] It didn't help that most of my knowledge (as is often the case) centred around local police, whereas the situation regarding border crossings and the TSA is more thorny.