I didn’t leave a comment. I am staying quiet

Traffic stops aside (just cooperate and settle it in court) the best course in a serious criminal matter is to lawyer up fast and hard. No attorney ever said "thank goodness my client talked to the police-it made my job so much easier!"

As I've said for years... "Everyone has the right to remain silent, but most don't have the ability"

I'd only add that your right to remain silent doesn't begin with the arrest. It is ever present. A police officer could ask you questions during his "investigation phase" (before you're in custody) while you are simply being detained. Those answers are admissible. Point is don't answer questions to begin with. Period. Answering questions can't help you in court.

I fully expected 19 minutes and 27 seconds of total absence of sound coupled with a dead-ass serial killer stare.

“I had the right to remain silent not the ability.” Ron White

I have a new pattern now, wake up, watch your video, take shower and then off to work. Love the videos - keep up the great work.

I once was questioned by police over a misunderstanding. The only word they got out of me was Lawyer and a written phone number for 3 hours. Two very unhappy police officers who found themselves in some trouble for continuing to ask me questions without my lawyer present. When the facts became clear, the police actually came back in and apologized to me, which I accepted due to the circumstances. Then had a hospital employee fired. It does take a great amount of self control to try not to explain your way out of a situation but when the police can lie cheat and steal in an interrogation not saying a word other than lawyer is your best bet. I took a nap till my lawyer showed up. Nothing I would have said would have done me any good, and potentially had me arrested and thrown in jail.

I've heard of people who told police they want to remain silent, but the police continue the interview and the suspects continue to talk to them. The interview isn't over if you verbally invoke your right to be silent...the cops are still going to take a shot. I've advised many people to never speak to the police without a lawyer if under arrest, even if you're completely innocent. Cops are looking for evidence against you and they know how to get it. A lawyer knows how cops work.

In the immortal words of Ron "Tater Salad" White: "I had the right to remain silent...but I didn't have the ability"

A quote I heard many years ago was "people generally don't go to jail for what they _DIDN'T_ say...." If I were in a "pickle" I'd probably exercise most of my rights after receiving a Miranda warning - first by writing and saying I wish to remain silent and I wish to have legal representation present and all questioning would go through them. The roadside question changes a bit if you are licensed to carry a concealed handgun/weapon. Depending on the state (and you're supposed to know before you go) you may or may not have to obligation to inform an officer when stopped that you are licensed and carrying a firearm (I never use the word "gun" especially if there are two officers - when that word is used their attitude could quickly change). In Ohio you have that obligation in other states such as Indiana you do not. As always great content on a relevant topic.

By exercising your right to remain silent, doesn't mean cops are gonna stop trying to get something out of you by keep asking questions. "I want a lawyer" is what stops them from asking questions or at least it should.

Invoke you right to remain silent. Cops: He's not gonna talk, he has something to hide. Cops: Time to plant evidence.

I met an attorney who was for many years the president of The trial Lawyers association and he told me that 80% of the people in jail are in jail because they didn't remain silent.

Miranda leaves out something I think should be an important part of the process. At the end when they ask "do you understand your rights?" they should have to ask a second question "Do you wish in invoke these rights?" This should serve to greatly decrease the confusion of weather someone has invoked or waved their rights.

Q. "Did you want a small bottle or a large bottle?" A. "I'll take the fifth."

It's crazy that even if you ask for a lawyer and stay quiet how much they still try talking to you and then leave you in the room for an hour come back and ask if you want to talk or whatever but it seems like a lot of times cops don't accept your silence and lawyer right away and keep trying to get you to talk

Okay, let's all practice it together. "I invoke my right to remain silent and I want to speak with an attorney." Then STFU. Simple, right?

"Anything you say can and will be used against you." Not for your benefit.

I'm not sure if this flys in the US but from what I understand in Canada my best answer would be "under the advice of counsel I'm not answering any questions." And just repeat that to every question.

I used to work for a police department. Trust me when they pull you over. They've already told dispatch the color and type of vehicle and they are running your tag number, which means they have a picture already on their computer. But you still have to show that you have a current operator's license on you

I listen to you every day. You make the law interesting and you are entertaining to listen to. Keep up the good work.

I had the right to remain silent but not the ability - Ron White

LOL, I love the statement "These pretzels are making me thirsty"! A nod to Kramer was well done.

ANYTHING you say WILL BE USED AGAINST YOU!

Best advice I ever got from a lawyer was when I was going through a divorce. The lawyer was a longtime friend who practiced criminal law in the UK. I asked him how to find a divorce lawyer. He replied, "Steve you don't need a lawyer, you are intelligent enough to sort it yourself. If you can avoid lawyers, remember they are very expensive." I used that argument when someone threatened to sue me, I told them they had no case and that my lawyer was very expensive, they gave up.

A police officer once told me the best person he ever had to interview that remained silent was a 16 year old girl who just picked a spot on the ceiling and stared at it for 2 hours solid no matter what was said to her.

You cannot talk yourself OUT of being arrested, but you CAN talk yourself INTO being arrested.

Interesting stuff, as usual. I especially liked your comment "if you want to flee, you might want to go farther, but that's just me". That one made me laugh :-)

"ANYTHING you say can and will be used against you."

Ron White-"I had the right to remain silent, but not the ability." Most all people feel the need to speak or respond. Have to control your anxiety.

You have the right to remain silent is how the Bill of rights reads. Later the SCOTUS cleared things up by ruling that you had to speak (invoke) first. Amazing the power that word salad can bring to bare.

I saw that on the Cheech and Chong movie Up in Smoke, “my license? Its on the back of the car man” Great Video Steve always interesting. Thank you.

I expected this video to be 20 minutes of no talking.

I thought we had rights whether we Invoke them or not. So I have no rights unless I invoke them like a magic spell?

Police: keep person in a room for three hours attempting to coerce him into a confession. Guy: *gets coerced* Supreme court: this confession is clearly uncoerced.

_"These pretzels are making me thirsty"_ - George 😂

I've always said that if you're being questioned by the police and you did something illegal, then invoke your rights and get an attorney. But if you didn't do anything illegal, then invoke your rights and get an attorney.

Suppose someone being interrogated declared something in the order of, “Separate from any and speech materially pertaining to this and all other related official interactions, for which I invoke my right to remain silent, I retain as separate, my right to common everyday conversation.” I’ve always wondered if that would work.

I've always thought it was really odd that the Fifth Amendment is the only amendment which we've decided you have to be told exists.

Was so hoping this video would be just you staring at the camera.

I have no issue showing license or registration. My issue is the personal questions the officer asks. Not only does he/she not tell me the reason they pulled me over but ask me questions like where am I going or what am I doing here or where did I come from. After I have given my information I dont need to talk or Answer an officers questions. Of course then they ask you to step out of the car and harass you further or try to incite. Cops are criminals that get away with too much period. I've never been arrested but I have had officers infringe on my rights because they know they 'll get away with it.

Steve, what if you were driving on an expired license, wouldn't showing it to them constitute self-incrimination? Also, in California, they don't prosecute or even ticket illegal aliens for driving without a license or driving without insurance, but they do with citizens and legal residents. Doesn't that constitute impermissible disparate treatment of a different class of people? They don't even prosecute illegal aliens for lack of insurance when they cause an accident, whereas they criminally charge a citizen or legal resident for the same thing? What happened to equality under the law?

I pulled over in Washington DC to let some business clients see the Jefferson Memorial. I stopped in a bicycle path (no bikes were around) so a cop decided to give me a ticket. (The stop to drop off the passengers took all of 30 seconds, if that.). The cop decided he needed to lecture me... which he did about five times -- approaching my car and lighting me for my "egregious" judgement. I was calm and friend -- one of the guys remained in my car and were joking about the cops demeanor. I figured I'd get a ticket and be on my way. Eventually five or six additional cops pulled up. What the heck??? The cop writing the ticket was on the phone for a good half-hour apparently trying to determine all the charges he could nail me with. By this point my other clients had come back to the car and were as perplexed as I was at all the police for a simple non-moving violation. The cop finally came to my car and once again proceeded to lecture me about my "egregious" decision to stop in a bike lane with no bikes in it -- he was angry, hostile and seemed to want to provoke me to fight back. We were now 45 minutes into the situation. I had had enough -and asked to speak with his supervisor. The officer refused. I had had enough and started to get out of my car when the all the cops moved forward -- I asked them to intervene in this ridiculous situation but they all just stood there. I cooled off a bit, took the ticket, drove off and immediately filed a complaint with the U.S. Park Police (the agency those cops work for). The lesson I learned is that you should never talk to police officers -- I had been respectful up to the point of the fifth lecture. So weird --- I'm 61, a conservative law and order Republican, and I've worked for two U.S. Senators, a governor, and on two U.S. Senate Committees and have never had a problem with the law. I will never view cops the same way -- totally disgusted. Remain silent.

The problem I have is that it seems more often that the thin blue line is not here to serve and protect but to harass and collect. I had a run in with a off duty police officer and her ex cop husband who were clearly breaking the law on their part yet I was harassed detainded accused and had to go through the whole drug and alcohol test simply because they broke the law!

Whenever I'm pulled over (not very often), I'm Mr. Politeness until I know that I'm getting a ticket. Once I know that I'm getting that expensive piece of paper, I just shut up and don't answer or ask any questions. Here in California, they want to know your phone number as well as your employer's address, and they usually get pissed when they don't get it. One time, the officer told me that I was required to provide that information. He didn't get it.

I was pulled over the day after Christmas about 6:50pm. Sheriff deputy watched me pull out of my driveway and immediately turned on his lights. I had a front headlight out on my truck. Pulled over, turned my dome light on, pulled my wallet out and grabbed my license, and put my hands on the steering wheel. When the officer walked up I rolled down the window all the way and put my hand back on the wheel. He told me I had a headlight out. He immediately realized that I was sober and asked for my license. I handed it to him and he asked where I was going. Told I was on my way to a meeting. He talked into his mic. I asked if he wanted my registration and insurance cards. He said no, that it came back valid and the info matched up with the drivers license and the address I had just left. He then small talked me a couple of minutes. I asked him if I was free to leave since nothing else was happening. He mentioned that he was waiting to hear back from dispatch about whether or not I had anything pending against me. So we B.S'd for a few minutes and then I heard dispatcher say that I was clear. So the officer released me and I went to the meeting. He must have enjoyed talking with me because he never went back to his cruiser for the entire time I was detained, and it's winter in Ohio. Granted, I had pulled into a parking lot so we weren't on the road. So showing some consideration for the officers may just make there day, and your's too.

I like how you are practical. Basically your saying...be smart. You can do what you want, but don't shutdown for the sake of shutting down.

Thank you for a clear and sensible answer to this question. Your videos are always informative. I am grateful that you take the time away from a busy life to share your experience and wisdom. Have an excellent day. 😎

The fishing they do is what bothers me. Get pulled over for a simple infraction, get a bunch of unrelated questions! Might even try and search your vehicle.

I would argue the “miranda notices” should also come with the addendum: nothing you say will be used to help your case.

The law is ran by people that are aware of their choices. They know the law isn’t always about right or wrong. Yet judges, prosecutors, cops choose to take advantage of such laws to their benefit. Not for a greater good. Just succumb to the temptation to behave in a way because they know a person isn’t even allowed to defend themselves against this armed theft. When these individuals choose to enforce such things they should be removed for being morally corrupt in a job that requires the most honorable type of person. They need held to a higher personal standard to keep the job.

I've had a couple encounters with cops where I was pulled over for a nonsensical reason. My all time favorite one involved my being pulled over by a NY state trooper. I exited from the highway and was waiting at a red light. So the trooper pulls up behind me as I sit at the red light. I intentionally did not turn right on red as I had the feeling it would provide some excuse for the cop to pull me over. So I sat there until the light turned green and I made my turn after making sure I had my turn signal on. I get about 50 ft down the road and he hits his lights to pull me over. He does his licence and registration thing and goes back to his car to check them out. A couple minutes later he returns and asked if I knew why he pulled me over. I of course said no. This idiot then says "You didn't turn right on red". I then tell him that there is no law requiring you to turn right on red,it is merely an option,one I declined. The cop starts getting red in the face when he realised that I wasn't going to simply take it. He mumbled something about the flow of traffic to which I just looked at him like a zoo exhibit. He finally stomped back to his car and lit up his tires as he abandoned his failed fishing expedition. Oh, by the way Steve that's a nice collection of microphones you have. I worked in radio and some of those were still in use in the FM easy listening studio. Nice car models too. Wish I had a real one of any of them.

When I first heard of the case, I got the impression of the officer taking the stand and asserting that the refusal to answer questions was an indicator of guilt -- that is, using silence as incriminating.

My wife has always encouraged me to remain silent in the nicest possible way.

The right to counsel is the more important right that must be positively invoked. If you are arrested, whether or not you are Mirandized, you should immediately invoke your right to counsel. Remember these five words: "Not without my attorney present."

"I do not consent to any searches, seizures, or questions. If I am not under arrest at this time, allow me to leave immediately. Direct any and all inquiries to my attorney; I will make no further statements at this time."

"Why did you pull me over?" "I will not be discussing my day." "Am I being detained?" "I invoke my 5th ammendment right."

"I want an attorney." How hard is that for anyone? Everything stops and you shut up until you get one. Amazed how many people don't do this on the police shows on TV.

I understand that I do not possess the power to change this, but the supreme court IS wrong and their wrongness is not truly debatable. that statement may be debated, lol. I hold the right of freedom of speech, and just talking IS the employment of that right. I have the right to keep and bear arms. My simple ownership of a firearm IS the exercise of said right. At NO POINT MUST I declare that I am exercising ANY right, to exercise that right! The activity explained and recognized to be a right is automatically and ABSOLUTELY established with zero need to do anything else. The RIGHT to remain silent is not abrogated by someone answering some questions or casually using his voice. The person may admit knowing a victim, and not answer questions about the murder of the victim. The right to remain silent is determined by the accused. Remaining silent on select types of questions is still availing one OF that inviolable right. Police do not have the RIGHT to pull people over, they have the license, permission, to do so.

Everyone has the the right to remain silent, few have the ability.

Just because a person may have the RIGHT to remain silent does not mean that they also have the ABILITY to remain silent ! ! ! !

Follow law abiding Michigander here. I keep two self-made cards in my wallet to reference if needed. One tells me exactly what to say to a cop if I am pulled over. The other tells me exactly what to do, if I am forced into using deadly force to protect mine, or someone else's, life. Both are based on what a few lawyers have advised.

4:22 “These pretzels are making me thirsty.”😆😆Subscribed.

Even a fish would stay out of trouble if he could keep his mouth shut.

Here's a question I've been pondering: when they read you your Miranda warnings, and then ask "do you understand these?" Why is it ever to your advantage to say "yes." Why not say "no. I don't understand them at all." And then stick to that position.

Steve, There are custodial questions that have nothing to do with guilt or innocence of a crime. There are requests for comfort or food or drink. When did a right to not self-incriminate become a requirement to remain mute? It seems later interpretations of Miranda have gone beyond the scope of the second amendment.

I was kinda hoping Steve would just stare at us for 19 minutes.

I understand your points, yet I am wondering if the police make the suspect aware that by verbally invoking his right to remain silent that the interrogation will not take place. It seems to me, and I might be wrong, that some could easily interpret this as meaning they simply do not have to answer questions, yet they expect questions will still be asked. Thus in their mind they are invoking their right to remain silent on certain questions, especially pertaining to the case. Yet a question unrelated to the issue at hand may be interpreted by the suspect as not pertaining to the case, and thus their need to remain silent. So I just think that the police should be required, if they are not already, to let the suspect know exactly what the right to remain silent entails. If a question about a peppermint, which has nothing to do with the case, is going to be interpreted as the suspect clearly not wishing to remain silent, then there is something wrong with the logic of the legal system in my opinion.

Why is it incumbent on a lay person to be fully versed in law? There is no other realm where we require a non professional to be responsible for knowing as much as the professionals. If you cross a bridge and it crumbles we don't demand that you should have been able to calculate the weight to stress ratio of hybrid steel cables before you walk. In fact in the law it's just the opposite with professionals held to a higher standard. It is so illogical. People die at police stops because officers expect them to act in certain ways they have zero training for and do t think about. The law expects far to much of the average person. I mean just assuming the intellectual or educational level is on its face absurd.

As Ron White said, "Turns out that while I had the RIGHT to remain silent, I utterly lacked the ABILITY."

I am 100% disabled from injuries in Vietnam. I have no car, so my only transportation is a disability mobility electric scooter. In my town a lady was arrested by the police for several charges while on her mobility scooter. The charges were thrown out, and she won a civil suit for $300,00 against the city. What should I do if I am stopped for no good reason?

Thanks brother for your excellent information. God bless you. I think respect from both sides is absolutely necessary. Police don't need to strong arm citizens and talk to them like the cop is speaking to his 7 year old child. Neither should a citizen treat a police officer as though the officer is the enemy and refuse any degree of compliance. To have a civil society, we all must act "reasonable and decent " towards each other. I have a right to "not " be harassed, but likewise the police have a right to "reasonable " questions, in order to do their job.

Don't ever sit with police for three hours!I want an attorney.Interview over!

Kind of funny to tell a person they have the right to remain silent and then tell them, "well you should have SAID you want to remain silent"

I can say the NCIC will return results of the vehicle registration info and in many states now, also whether there is valid insurance on the vehicle. So honestly, the license is really the only real info needed at the stop......unless the NCIC connection is down at that moment.

There is one thing I do not understand in the "Miranda Rights" it is that "Anything you say may be used against you in a court of law." - Does this mean that it is better not to talk to the police, because what ever you say, may only be used against you in the court of law, and not for you? So in that conclusion, you should never talk to the police, because the outcome will always be used against you?

I was hoping so much that this was just going to be you staring at the camera for 20 straight minutes of deafening silence.

There's a lot of Kafka/Heller in this "you have the right to remain silent, but must break silence to assert that right" . I think over here the standard response to questioning is saying "no comment", which makes sense (we also have a different warning, not quite like yours)

I was waiting for more discussion of the offer and acceptance of a mint. I would find it extremely difficult to remain "silent" when an ingrained response such as "thanks" or "you're welcome" is called for.

An indication that you have not invoked your right to remain silent is when they keep questioning you....so invoke it.

"These pretzels are making me thirsty" I love you.

Make sure to say "I want an attorney." That's more important than trying to sit there and star without saying anything, which is extremely hard to do. A good explanation for why is in the book by James Duane, "You Have the Right to Remain Innocent."

"You know people say" thanks for sharing and caring Steve. Great job as usual 👏 👍 keep up the good work.

A license is an intangible object comprised of multiple documents. It exists with or without the physical "ID card". Therefore, you can never "display" a license. It exists via multiple records at your state capital.

Everyone needs to read the book or listen to the audio book "you have the right to remain innocent" by James Duane.

I think when the police want to question you for a crime the best thing to do is say in a *friendly* tone, " Guys, as an American, I want to remain silent and not answer any questions until I consult with a lawyer." That covers all your bases. As for traffic stop, pull over safely, turn on flashers, roll down your window, then keep your hands on the wheel. Be polite and friendly. First tell them if you do or do not have a weapon. Then HAND them what they need to see in the spirit of total cooperation. Appreciate that this is a dangerous part of a cop's job. If you make them feel at ease from the very start most will appreciate it, you will be less likely to get a ticket for any infraction or you might get some other kind of break. If you act like a "sovereign citizen" the cop will be on high alert and not sympathetic in any way. Do you blame them?

I agree that his not explicitly including his "right to remain silent" is significant. Having a right does not automatically involve the right. I can't understand how non-substantive comments about mints and chairs means that right was not invoked.

What about Campers (pulled) and RV's? when they want to "LOOK" inside. Many people use them as a 2nd, or even first home.

So the Miranda warning must be amended to say you must verbally invoke your right to remain silent😏

"These pretzels are making me thirsty..." Nice Seinfeld Easter Egg there Steve.

Just because you choose to remain silent and/or advise the police you wish to does NOT end interrogations. The cops keep talking and can by law. You MUST ask for an attorney to stop the questions.

I had the right to remain silent, but I didn't have the ability - Ron White

I would think speaking should be material. I don't see how saying yes to a drink, or mentioning that the chair is uncomfortable negates your silence. The silence is obviously surrounding the questions or interrogations relating to guilt or innocence.

Can you demand the officer return the license after reading? Can you demand the officer not remove the license from your immediate presence? (take back to patrol car) From being parked at the curb, woman pulls out for a U-turn right in front of me and my son (who was driving). Collision, our car is totaled. Police officer arrives, sees no injuries, gives out clipboard for a written statement describing the accident. Some drama as they discover her passenger has outstanding warrants. She (officer) discusses the accident with me, then looks around and says, "Where did that woman go?" I tell her I saw her climb in the tow truck and leave with her car. She shrugs and says, that's why I always collect driver's licenses first thing and hold on to them... Incidentally that driver had no insurance.

As a child I always wondered after hearing your rights that you can remain silent, and that anything you say can and WILL be used against you, why anyone would ever talk regardless of why you were arrested.

People are conditioned to answer questions from early on. So, not speaking requires mental effort. Speaking and answering questions has become a habit throughout the whole life of a person and the police take advantage of that.

It makes no sense that the right to remain silent has to be an all or nothing thing. If I want food/drink, and don't want to answer questions about the case, then I shouldn't have to sit there in silence and starve.

You should invoke your right to remain silent and not just stay silent. The reason is that once you invoke your right, the questioning cannot last for too long. You can invoke harassment if questioning continues, which would play bad for the police. Avoid lengthy questioning, and invoke your right.

Steve- very informative video that confirms legal advice I was given several years ago. "Remember, the Police Officer who stops you is not your friend."'