Know Your Rights

Your comprehensive, always-accessible guide to constitutional protections during law enforcement encounters. Bookmark this page for quick reference anytime.

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Help others know their constitutional rights

Understanding your constitutional rights is not about being difficult or uncooperative with law enforcement. It is about knowing the legal boundaries that protect all citizens from government overreach. These rights exist whether you are a citizen, permanent resident, or visitor, and they apply to all federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies including ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

First Amendment
Right to Record

You CAN film law enforcement

Public officials performing duties in public spaces have no expectation of privacy. Your right to observe and record is constitutionally protected.

Fourth Amendment
Protection from Searches

You can refuse searches

Law enforcement needs a warrant signed by a judge or your explicit consent to search your person, vehicle, or home. You have the right to say "I do not consent to searches."

Fifth Amendment
Right to Remain Silent

You can remain silent

You are not required to answer questions beyond providing your name (in some states). Say clearly: "I am exercising my right to remain silent and want to speak with an attorney."

Quick Protocol: Law Enforcement Encounter

Step-by-Step Actions:

  1. 1.Stay calm. Do not run or make sudden movements.
  2. 2.Ask clearly: "Am I free to leave?"
  3. 3.If YES: Leave immediately and calmly.
  4. 4.If NO: Ask "Why am I being detained?"
  5. 5.State: "I am exercising my right to remain silent."
  6. 6.State: "I do not consent to any searches."
  7. 7.State: "I want to speak with an attorney."
  8. 8.Do NOT answer questions. Do NOT sign anything.

What NOT to Do:

  • Do NOT run or physically resist
  • Do NOT lie or provide false information
  • Do NOT consent to searches "just to get it over with"
  • Do NOT answer "Where are you from?" or immigration status questions
  • Do NOT sign anything without an attorney present
  • Do NOT use sovereign citizen language ("I'm traveling," "I don't consent to your jurisdiction")

Detailed Rights Breakdown

✅ YES, you CAN film ICE, police, and all law enforcement

This right is established by multiple federal court decisions and is protected by the First Amendment.

Legal Basis:

  • Glik v. Cunniffe (1st Circuit, 2011) - Established clear First Amendment right to record police in public
  • ACLU v. Alvarez (7th Circuit, 2012) - Recording police officers discharging official duties is protected
  • Turner v. Driver (5th Circuit, 2017) - Affirmed right to film police, extended to all government officials

How to Film Safely:

  1. Maintain a reasonable distance (generally 10-15 feet minimum)
  2. Do not physically interfere with law enforcement operations
  3. Film from public property (sidewalks, streets, public parks)
  4. Keep your hands visible and avoid sudden movements
  5. If asked to move back, comply with reasonable distance requests
  6. Do NOT delete footage if asked - they need a warrant to seize your device
  7. Consider live-streaming to cloud storage for evidence preservation

⚠️ Important Limitations:

  • • Cannot trespass on private property to film
  • • Cannot physically obstruct or interfere with lawful duties
  • • Cannot record where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy (bathrooms, hospital rooms)
  • • Must comply with lawful orders that don't restrict your right to observe

Video Tutorials: Asserting Your Rights

Watch these short demonstrations showing proper techniques for asserting your constitutional rights during law enforcement encounters.

Traffic Stop: Know Your Rights
Learn the proper way to assert your rights during a traffic stop

What You'll Learn:

  • • How to safely pull over and interact with officers
  • • Exact phrases to use when asserting your rights
  • • When and how to refuse searches
  • • What documents you must provide vs. optional questions
How to Film Police Safely
Your First Amendment right to record law enforcement

What You'll Learn:

  • • Legal basis for filming law enforcement (case law)
  • • Safe distance and positioning techniques
  • • What to do if ordered to stop filming
  • • How to preserve evidence and protect your footage
ICE Encounters: Your Rights
What to do if ICE approaches you or comes to your home

What You'll Learn:

  • • How to verify ICE warrants (judicial vs. administrative)
  • • What to say if ICE knocks on your door
  • • Your right to remain silent with immigration questions
  • • Emergency contacts and legal aid resources
Constitutional Rights vs. Sovereign Citizen Myths
Why real constitutional protections work and sovereign citizen tactics fail

What You'll Learn:

  • • Real constitutional rights backed by Supreme Court precedent
  • • Why "traveling not driving" and similar tactics have 0% success rate
  • • Case law supporting your actual rights (Glik, Turner, etc.)
  • • How to assert rights without getting arrested

Downloadable Resources

Wallet Card

Printable quick-reference card with essential rights (3.5" x 2")

Click to download PDF

Encounter Checklist

Step-by-step protocol for law enforcement encounters (Letter size)

Click to download PDF

Legal Aid Directory

Emergency contacts and legal resources by state

Coming soon

Understand the Historical Accountability Framework

Your rights are only as strong as the accountability mechanisms that enforce them. Learn how constitutional accountability mechanisms were designed to protect your rights, and why they've failed.

Learn About Accountability Mechanisms

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