Cop, Law Prof agree: never ever talk to cops ..

[CptStern]

..about a crime even if you're innocent

In a brilliant pair of videos, , Prof. James Duane of the Regent University School of Law and Officer George Bruch of the Virginia Beach Police Department present a forceful case for never, ever, ever speaking to the police without your lawyer present. Ever. Never, never, never.

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/07/28/law-prof-and-cop-agr.html

 

[DreamThrall]

I actually watched all of it... interesting lecture. That prof is a hoot

 

[AJ Rimmer]

Scary shit.

 

[MJ12]

Can't believe I ended up viewing all of that. Anyways, the only problem is, doesn't not speaking to the cops really make them look into you more?

And, I mean, how is this applicable in all situations, it can't be, especially for really small things. Though I've only been in the situation of being "in trouble" with a cop for very minor things. One was going in a park at midnight, in which they asked us what we were doing, told us we couldn't be here, one chatted with us about our HS because he used to go to the same one. And then they said have a good night and just let us go.
Another was when I was a stupid 15yr old youngin' doing something in a car with the girlfriend I shouldn't have. They gave us a talking to, asked us some questions, scared us into not doing it again, and then sent us on our merry way without any real trouble.
So I don't see how you can/or should avoid talking to a cop in every situation.

 

[TechnoHippyChic]

Edit: nvm

In one of the more engaging, convincing and easily understood presentations I've ever seen, Prof. James Duane of the Regent University School of Law explains why even angels devoid of the slightest moral blemish should never speak to police officers, tax collectors or other law-enforcement agents investigating crimes. Duane assumes no malice on the part of the police -- just human failings and motivations. In a 27-minute lecture, he details the legal pitfalls people can wander into even by telling the absolute truth.

Of course, "innocence" is relative. At the very beginning of the video, Prof. Duane addresses the -- literally -- unknowable extent to which federal laws and regulations have grown, so that even the government itself has no idea how many punishable offenses there are. It's very easy for people with clean consciences to admit to violating laws and regulations they never knew existed.

What about the other side of the debate?

Responding in the same classroom to Prof. Duane, Office George Bruch of the Virginia Beach Police Department says ... the professor is absolutely right.

 

[Druckles]

Yeah, I watched it all, too. It was really quite convincing. It doesn't quite apply to me, leaving in Merry Old England. No-one gets arrested here, the police just can't be arsed. Unless you don't buy your met (tram) fee!

 

[Adrik_Senturu]

Can't believe I ended up viewing all of that. Anyways, the only problem is, doesn't not speaking to the cops really make them look into you more?

And, I mean, how is this applicable in all situations, it can't be, especially for really small things. Though I've only been in the situation of being "in trouble" with a cop for very minor things. One was going in a park at midnight, in which they asked us what we were doing, told us we couldn't be here, one chatted with us about our HS because he used to go to the same one. And then they said have a good night and just let us go.
Another was when I was a stupid 15yr old youngin' doing something in a car with the girlfriend I shouldn't have. They gave us a talking to, asked us some questions, scared us into not doing it again, and then sent us on our merry way without any real trouble.
So I don't see how you can/or should avoid talking to a cop in every situation.

Well its really only meant for situations where you'd probably be going to court and you have a lawyer and what not. Cop asking you what you're doing in the park at midnight is a bit different then a cop asking you a couple questions about a murder or something of that nature D:

 

[Kyorisu]

Name and address, nothing else. Rather simple really.