Hi, Ive put together a little guide with a few tips to run you through your experiences with the fuzz, some of the examples will only be relevant to certain countries but seeing as most of the users are from common law countries it should hold.
1. OK YOUR BEING PULLED OVER
So the flashing lights go on,first have a look around and see if there
are any people nearby on the street.Try and pull over near them
remember you only have to pull over when it is safe to do so,
this gives you some time . Witnesses are always good for an upset
stomach.You can ask them to witness it, most people like to have a good
aul stare anyway.
Option 2
Travel home...Gardai chased a man home after alleged acts of
dangerous driving. The man entered his house and refused Gardai orders
to stop. The brother came to the door and also refused Gardai entry ,
he was arrested and the Gardai entered the house.It was held in a the
supreme court that the arrest was unlawful as there was no expressed
invitation and was also a violation of art 40.5 of the constitution. (
DPP v Gaffney 1988)
Its risky but if your not in the mood just travel home and put the kettle on and listen to some music.
2. Record, Record, Record
Nearly every phone has a voice recorder or video on it. If your even
more prepared youll have a dictaphone or a camcorder with you,so just
be ready and get your gadget out.
3. To sit or not to sit
You can either get out of your private automobile or stay in it.
If you want to be lazy and sit there only open your window a little ( a
few centimeters) just enough to hear through because it most likely
will be bad noise coming through.
If you get out, lock the car and stand your ground.
4.Positive vibes
Be as friendly, nice and courteous as possible it will pay off in the end.Let them know you are recording them, state the date, time, get the badge numbers
ask for their names and their business cards. If they are in a huff
about about tell them its for your safety. If they give any guff ask
them" are you denying me my safety?." Of Course not!Surly!
5.The art of questioning
They will normally be quite aggressive towards you with their tone to
shake you up a little, they are trained this way so dont take it
personally.
You have a few options here but I think its best to go with the option
which will get you back about your business as soon as possible.
Gardai " Whats your name?"
Victim " Happy-Harry of the Jolly family" Make sure they write it like
this to distinguish you from your corporate entity MR HAPPY HARRY JOLLY (remember your name is just hearsay anyway and the govenment hold title to your birth cert or the certificate of encorporation that you call your name ).
Next they ll ask questions like " Do you know what speed you where
going?" or " Do you know what you did wrong?" NEVER SELF ADMIT by
saying " Sorry I was a little over the limit" or anything to that
nature.
Answer their questions with questions " was I ?" " did I?" " Can you prove that?"
Or at least finish your sentances with a little question.This will
always put the ball back in their court and it stops you from
contracting with them.
6.Arrested
Thats fine being arrested is easy.
Youll either be brought to the the station and released or brought to court in the morning.
While you at the station this is what theyll allow :
You may receive a visit from a relative, friend or any other person
with an interest in your welfare, provided that you wish to see the
person. The member in charge of the station must be satisfied that the
visit can be adequately supervised and will not hinder or delay the
investigation of crime.
You may send a letter or make a telephone call of reasonable duration
free of charge to a person if the member in charge is satisfied that it
will not hinder or delay the investigation of crime. A Garda may listen
to the phone call and may end it and may read any letter and refuse to
send it.
Before you have a supervised visit or communicate with a person other
than your solicitor, you must be informed that anything you say during
the visit or in the communication may be given in evidence.
Never give Finger prints - they can only be taken by written consent.
Although they may bribe you, I seen them trick a polish guy into
signing over consent for a cigarette.
Food- you are entitled to at least 3 meals (of low resistance gruel).
They might get you something nice at your own expense if you ask.
7.Forms
Dont sign anything and dont take anything (the slider).
If you have to sign forms like for your belongings,fines or any documentation
Always sign using the words Under protest and Duress and then your signature.
Using the words under protest and duress will invalidate any contract that was gained through coersion or intimadation. Oh yes this also includes any traffic ticket(they are all contracts!)
I hope you never have to use it but if you do ENJOY it!