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Comment by jfengel | Hacker News Reader

I've always been a little unclear on just how good "don't ever talk to a cop" is, for ordinary encounters like a traffic stop. I'm plenty leery of police but I don't particularly want to escalate a situation where I'm already at a massive disadvantage.

But yeah, it does seem like keeping your physical ID handy is a good idea. Handing over an unlocked phone seems like asking for trouble.

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In my opinion, nobody with sane mind would want to escalate when dealing with the cops. But you cannot expect the same from the other side.

I used to be pretty neutral on the topics of LEOs until I saw all those videos where even if someone is crawling on the ground and bawling their eyes out begging the cop not to shoot them, the cops can still shoot them.

And the judge will side with the cops.

Nowadays I don't trust cops. If I have to interact with one, I will try to be calm but I will always assume anything and everything they do or say is to my detriment.

> I will always assume anything and everything they do or say is to my detriment.

Precisely this. Never open your mouth.

Given I've never had a criminal charge, take with a grain of salt. I've always been polite and engaging for all civil infractions (like speeding tickets), however, if I think they are moving towards a criminal charge, I'd invoke my 5th and would cooperate as required, but no further.

Be polite. If a LEO wants to escalate, they will.

There is a term called “grey rocking” when dealing with unstable people. You react as if you are a lump of stone, no emotion. Don’t give them anything to react to.

If a cop has cause to search you, they will. If they ask, they are still looking for that cause.

When they ask, simply say that you are exercising your 4th amendment rights. If they continue to press you, ask if you are free to go. If they say no, then sign the ticket or ask for a lawyer if you are getting charged.

Here’s the best talk I’ve seen on this https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d-7o9xYp7eE

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