Know Your Rights

[elmo sez]

All good activists should know their rights particularly when under arrest, so if you know your rights for your country please post them up. ( please gather the information from a credibale source, this information is very important, so no off the top of your head stuff ) . So without further delay ill kick this off with Ireland

Ireland

Arrest
An arrest is one of the preliminary stages in the prosecution of a criminal offence. You may be arrested for the purpose of being brought to trial. In general, you may not be arrested just for questioning but there are some exceptions.

Why you are arrested
Normally you must be told why you are being arrested, for example, because you are suspected of having stolen goods. However, if you are arrested under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act you need only be told that you are being arrested under that Section; you do not have to be told exactly why.

Garda powers of arrest
The Gardai have wide powers of arrest without a warrant. They may arrest you if they reasonably believe you have committed an arrestable offence. An "arrestable offence" is an offence for which the penalty which a person who has no previous convictions may get is 5 years imprisonment or more. Specific laws then give the Gardai specific powers of arrest as well. For example, a Garda may arrest you under the Road Traffic Acts without a warrant if he/she suspects that you are committing an offence in relation to drinking and driving. They also have various powers of arrest with a warrant.

The Gardai have a general power to enter and search a premises, including a dwelling, in order to carry out an arrest. There are a number of conditions attached to their power to enter a dwelling if they do not have a warrant.

Other officials who have powers of arrest
Certain other law enforcers, for example, Customs Officers, Fishery Protection Officers also have powers of arrest with and without a warrant in their own particular areas.

"Citizen's arrest"
Private individuals also have powers of arrest without a warrant in certain circumstances - this is sometimes called a citizen's arrest. You may arrest a person who is committing an arrestable offence or any person whom you have reasonable cause to suspect is committing an arrestable offence. If an arrestable offence has been committed, you may arrest the person who is guilty of the offence or the person whom you have reasonable cause to suspect is guilty. This power of arrest may only be exercised if you have reasonable cause to believe that the person would otherwise attempt to avoid, or is avoiding, arrest by a Garda. If you do arrest someone you must transfer that person to Garda custody as soon as practicable.

Security people and store detectives have no more powers than other citizens in respect of arrests.

It is an offence for a person to resist a lawful arrest whether the arrest is carried out by a Garda or a private citizen.

After the arrest
In general, you must be brought before a court as soon as possible after your arrest. This sometimes means that a special sitting of the District Court has to be arranged. Only in certain specific circumstances may you be detained in a Garda Station for a length of time before being brought to court. Under the Criminal Justice Act 1984, you may be detained in a Garda Station for up to 12 hours. The offence of which you are suspected must be one that may be punished by imprisonment for at least 5 years. The 12 hour period runs from the time of your arrest but you may agree to a rest period between 12 midnight and 8 am and this will not be included in the 12 hours.

Everyone who is detained must be informed of his/her right to consult a solicitor.

In general, if you are arrested you do not have to say anything. However, if you are detained under the Criminal Justice Act 1984 you must tell the Gardai your name and address. The Gardai have no general power to take fingerprints or make forensic tests. They may do these things if you consent or if they have specific power under specific laws, for example, under the Offences Against the State Act or the Criminal Law Act of 1976. Under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act you may be detained for up to 48 hours before being brought to Court.

[dannie]

For belgium, this is in dutch so it won't be that interesting for you english folks

10 gouden regels voor de manifestant

1. Identiteitscontrole

De politie in uniform of in burger (als ze zich legitimeren) mag je identiteit controleren. De politie moet een reden hebben: ordeverstoring of strafbare feiten. Dan ben je verplicht je identiteitskaart te overhandigen; na verificatie moet ze onmiddellijk teruggegeven worden. Opkomen voor je mening is niet strafbaar en is geen ordeverstoring.

2. Administratieve aanhouding

Wanneer je niet beschuldigd wordt van een misdrijf, kan men je maximaal twaalf uur vasthouden. De politie is verplicht de arrestant een register te laten tekenen bij binnenkomst en vrijlating. Dat is het enige wat je kan ondertekenen.

3. Gerechtelijke aanhouding

Bij verdenking van een misdrijf kan men je maximaal 24 uur vasthouden, tenzij de onderzoeksrechter een aanhoudingsbevel aflevert.

4. Ondervragingen

Je hebt een absoluut recht tot zwijgen, je bent niet verplicht een verklaring af te leggen of wat dan ook te ondertekenen. Verklaringen worden vaak tegen jou en je mede-actievoerders gebruikt. Je hebt het volste recht te wachten met een verklaring tot je een advocaat gesproken hebt.

5. Fouillering

De 'veiligheidsfouillering' dient om gevaarlijke voorwerpen op te sporen. De 'opsporingsfouillering' dient om verdachte objecten op te sporen als je van een misdrijf verdacht wordt. Zonder precieze aanwijzingen mag de politie niet fouilleren. Als de politie je verplicht tot uitkleden, gaan ze hun boekje te buiten!

Maak je zakken leeg, voor je gaat betogen: geen drugs, ook geen soft drugs, geen mes of een ander voorwerp dat als wapen kan beschouwd worden. Ook geen adresboekje: de politie is namelijk erg geïnteresseerd in namen...

6. Fotograferen van manifestanten en arrestanten

Fotograferen zonder toelating is een inbreuk op de privacy. Vooral bij administratieve aanhouding omwille van een actie * wat de uitvoering is van een democratisch recht * is het niet normaal dat men in een politiefotoboek terechtkomt. Protesteer hiertegen met klem.

7. Vingerafdrukken

Dit is nog niet wettelijk geregeld. Het kadert binnen het aanleggen van documentatie voor het commissariaat-generaal voor gerechtelijke opdrachten.

Maar dit alles geldt alleen voor de strijd tegen de criminaliteit, je mening uiten is geen crimineel feit dus je hoeft hier niet aan mee te werken.

8. Verwittiging van familie of kennissen tijdens aanhouding

Je mag de politie vragen je familie of een advocaat te verwittigen; je moet van dit recht gebruik maken; de politie is echter niet verplicht daarop in te gaan.

9. Bijstand advocaat

Bij administratieve aanhouding heb je geen recht op een advocaat. Als je na 24 uur toch wordt aangehouden en overgebracht naar de gevangenis dan heb je onmiddellijk recht op een advocaat. Deze mag je alle dagen bezoeken tot 21u 's avonds.

10. Sta op je rechten en protesteer

Als de politie haar boekje te buiten gaat door bijvoorbeeld te schelden, te slaan of fouillering om te vernederen, neem je best onmiddellijk na je vrijlating contact op met een advocaat om te zien hoe je het best kan reageren. Protest gebeurt best collectief.


De tien basisrechten van de staker

24-10-2005
1. Staken is een recht. Werknemers hebben het recht samen het werk neer te leggen om te strijden voor hun belangen. Dat recht wordt bevestigd in een hele reeks internationale, Europese en nationale verdragen en wetten. Het stakingsrecht houdt ook in dat men bijkomende acties mag ondernemen om de collectieve actie te doen welslagen : stakingspiketten, zoningpiketten, bezettingen, solidariteitsstakingen, enz …

2. Wat te doen bij komst van een deurwaarder? Stakers die geconfronteerd worden met een deurwaarder, mogen alle contact met hem mijden en zijn niet verplicht hem bijstand te verlenen. Best zegt men niets aan een deurwaarder. Zelfs als hij niets noteert op het moment zelf, heeft hij waarschijnlijk wel een bandopnemertje bij zich of een goed geheugen, wat hem naderhand toelaat een schriftelijk verslag te maken. (Daarom is hij er namelijk) Trouwens, een deurwaarder die zich tot iemand richt of die aan een persoon een akte wenst te betekenen, moet deze persoon kunnen identificeren. U mag weigeren uw naam te geven aan een deurwaarder.

3.Identiteitscontrole. De politie in uniform of in burger, voor zover die zich legitimeert, mag uw identiteit controleren. De politie moet een reden hebben (ordeverstoring of strafbare feiten). Dan bent u verplicht uw identiteitskaart te overhandigen. Na verificatie moet ze onmiddellijk teruggegeven worden. Staken en opkomen voor uw mening is niet strafbaar en is geen ordeverstoring.

4. Administratieve aanhouding. Wanneer u niet beschuldigd wordt van een misdrijf mag een administratieve aanhouding maximaal twaalf uur duren. De politie is verplicht de arrestant een register te laten tekenen bij binnenkomst en vrijlating. Dat is het enige dat u kan ondertekenen.

5. Gerechtelijke aanhouding. Bij verdenking van een misdrijf. Mag maximaal 24 uur duren, tenzij de onderzoeksrechter, voor het verstrijken van 24 uur, een aanhoudingsbevel aflevert.

6. Ondervragingen. Iedereen heeft het absoluut recht tot zwijgen. Er bestaat geen verplichting tot het afleggen van een verklaring noch tot ondertekening van wat dan ook. Verklaringen worden vaak tegen u en uw medestanders gebruikt. U hebt het volste recht te wachten met een verklaring tot u een advocaat gesproken heeft. Het beste is u te beperken tot de volgende zin :”Ik verdedig mijn rechten en wens voor het overige geen verklaring af te leggen”.

7. Fouillering. Veiligheidsfouillering: opsporen van "gevaarlijke" voorwerpen. Opsporingsfouillering: opsporen van verdachte objecten die verband houden met een misdrijf waarvan u verdacht wordt. Zonder precieze aanwijzingen mag de politie niet fouilleren. Bij verplichting tot uitkleden gaan ze hun boekje te buiten. U neemt best geen adresboekje mee. De politie is namelijk erg geïnteresseerd in namen.

8. Fotograferen door politie. Fotograferen zonder toelating is een inbreuk op de privacy. Vooral bij administratieve aanhouding omwille van een syndicale actie, d.i. de uitvoering van een fundamenteel recht, is het niet normaal dat men in een politiefotoboek terechtkomt. Protesteer hiertegen met klem.

9. Vingerafdrukken. Deze zijn nog niet wettelijk geregeld. Deze worden “gerechtvaardigd” voor het aanleggen van documentatie voor de strijd tegen de criminaliteit. Staken of uw mening uiten is geen crimineel feit. U moet dus niet meewerken aan het nemen van vingerafdrukken.

10. Sta op je rechten en protesteer. Als de politie haar boekje te buiten gaat door bijvoorbeeld te schelden, te slaan of u te vernederen bij fouillering, neemt u best onmiddellijk contact op met een advocaat om te zien hoe u het best kan reageren. Bij slagen en verwondingen, contacteer onmiddellijk een dokter voor de nodige vaststellingen. Hou contact met uw mede actievoerders om getuigen te hebben van wat er gebeurde.

[Sadena Meti]

An Irishman coined the best arrest advice:

Whatever you say, say nothing.

[Sadena Meti]

Originally posted by [email protected] 19 2006, 02:46 AM
For belgium, this is in dutch so it won't be that interesting for you english folks

For the english folk, from Babel Fish


10 gouden rules for the manifestant

1. identity control The police force in uniform or in citizen (if they legitimise himself) can check you identity. The police force must a reason has: order far jamming or indictable offences. Then are you obliges you hand over identity card; after checking she must be immediately returned. Do not rise for your opinion is illegal and is no order far jamming.

2. Administrative adjournment When you are not accused of an indictable offence, one can hold you maximum twelve hours. The police force has been obliged the detainee a register leave signs at entry and vrijlating. That is some what you can sign.

3. Judicial adjournment At suspicion of an indictable offence one can hold you maximum 24 hours, unless the research judge delivers an adjournment command.

4. Interrogations You have an absolute right to to be silent, you are not oblige give a statement or whatever to sign. Declarations frequently you and your mede-actievoerders are used. You have the fullest right wait with a declaration to you a lawyer have spoken.

5. Fouillering The ' veiligheidsfouillering ' must dangerous trace objects. The ' opsporingsfouillering ' must suspected objects trace if you suspected of an indictable offence becomes. Without exact indications the police force cannot search. If the police force obliges you to strips, they go their notebook at outside! Make you fall empty, for you will demonstrate: no drugs, soft drugs also no, no knife or a another object that as a weapon can be considered. Address notebook also no: the police force has been a lot interested, as it happens, in names...

6. Photograph of manifestanten and detainees Photograph without admission is a violation on the privacy. Especially at administrative adjournment because of an action ¬ what is the implementation of a democratic right ¬ it is not normal that one arrives in a police force photograph book. Protest against this with great force.

7. finger impressions This has been regulated legally not yet. It fits in with within mooring documentation for commissariaat-generaal for judicial tasks. But all this only applies to the fight against the crime, your opinion express are not no criminal fact therefore you must to this cooperate.

8. Verwittiging of family or knowledge during adjournment You can to your family to the police force ask if a lawyer to inform; you must use of this right; the police force is however does not oblige then enter.

9. Assistance lawyer At administrative adjournment are not entitled you to a lawyer. If you are nevertheless apprehended after 24 hours and are transmitted to the prison then be entitled you immediate to a lawyer. These can visit you all days up to 21u at night.

10 You stand up rights and protest If the police force its notebook will scolding at outside for example, beating or to fouillering humiliate, take you with a lawyer to best immediate after your vrijlating contact see how you can react best. Protest happens best collective.

The ten basic rights of the striker 24-10-2005

1. Props are a right. Employees have the right together lay down the work to fight for their interests. That right is confirmed in a complete range international, European and national treaties and laws. The stakingsrecht carries out also in that one additional operations can undertake to do success the collective action: strike stakes, zoningpiketten, bezettingen, solidarity strikes, etc....

2. What to do at arrival of a bailiff? Strikers who are faced with a bailiff, can all contact with him avoid and are oblige him render. Best one says nothing to a bailiff. Even if he notes nothing at the moment himself, he probably, however, bandopnemertje have at itself or a good memory, what allows him afterwards a written make report. (For this reason he is there, as it happens) as a matter of fact, a bailiff who addresses someone or that to a person mean a certificate wishes, must this person is able identify. You can give refuse your name to a bailiff.

3.Identiteitscontrole. The police force in uniform or in citizen, as far as who legitimises themselves, your identity can check. The police force must a reason has (order far jamming or indictable offences). Then are you obliges your hand over identity card. After checking she must be immediately returned. Props and rise for your opinion are not illegal and are no order far jamming.

4. Administrative adjournment. When you are not accused of an indictable offence can an administrative adjournment maximum twelve hours last. The police force has been obliged the detainee a register leave signs at entry and vrijlating. That is some that you can sign.

5. Judicial adjournment. At suspicion of an indictable offence. Maximum 24 hours can last, unless the research judge delivers, for expiring 24 hours, an adjournment command.

6. Interrogations. Everyone has the absolute right to to be silent. There no obligation to giving a statement exists nor to signature of whatever. Declarations against you and your medestanders are frequently used. You have the fullest right wait with a declaration to you a lawyer have spoken. The bests are you to the next sense restrict:"Ik defend my rights and wish other than that no give statement.

7. Fouillering. Veiligheidsfouillering: trace of "dangerous" objects. Opsporingsfouillering: trace of suspected objects which are related to an indictable offence of which suspected you becomes. Without exact indications the police force cannot search. At obligation to to strip to go them their notebook at. You take along best no address notebook. The police force has been a lot interested, as it happens, in names.

8. Photograph by police force. Photograph without admission is a violation on the privacy. Especially at administrative adjournment because of an union action, i.e. the implementation of a fundamental right, is not it normal that one arrives in a police force photograph book. Protest against this with great force.

9. finger impressions. These have been regulated legally not yet. These "are justified" for mooring documentation for the fight against the crime. Express props or your opinion no criminal fact is. You do not have cooperate therefore in taking finger impressions.

10 You stand up rights and protest. If to the police force its notebook at outside will scolding for example, beating or you to humiliate at fouillering, takes you with a lawyer to best immediate contact see how you best can react. At battles and wounds, contact immediately a doctor for the necessary observation. Hou contact with your activists to testify to have of what happened there.

[An archist]

Another reason why machines shouldn't translate stuff.
BTW: thanks for the tips

[sav]

United Kingdom (? it may differ) / England
If you think you might one day run the risk of being arrested, you must find out what to do in that situation. If prison, fines, "community service", etc don't appeal to you, by following this advice you can massively reduce the risk of all three. In the police station, the cops rely on people's naivety. Wise Up.
When you have been arrested:

You have to give the police your name, address and date of birth. They also have the right to take your fingerprints, photo and non-intimate body samples. The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 has now removed the traditional "right to silence". However, all this means is that the police/prosecution can point out your refusal to speak to them, when the case comes to court, and the court may take this as evidence of your guilt. The police cannot force you to speak or to give a statement, whatever they may say to you in the station. Refusing to speak cannot be used to convict you by itself. It's yet to be seen how the police will use this change in the law, but we reckon the best policy if you want to get off is remain silent. The best place to work out a good defense is afterwards, with your solicitor or witnesses, not under pressure in the hands of the cops. If your refusal to speak comes up in court, the best defense we think is to refuse to speak until your solicitor gets there, then get them to agree to your position. You can then say you acted on legal advice. Keeping silent is still the best thing to do in police custody.

Q: What happens when I get arrested?

When you are arrested, you will be taken to a police station. You will be asked your name, address and date of birth. Your personal belongings will be taken from you. These are listed on the custody record and usually you will be asked to sign that the list is correct. You should sign immeciately below the last item, so that the cops can't add something incriminating to the list. You should also refuse to sign for something which isn't yours, or which could be incriminating. You will then be placed in a cell until the police are ready to deal with you.

Q: When can I contact a solicitor?

You should be able to ring a solicitor as soon as you've been arrested. Once at the police station it is one of the first things you should do, for two reasons:

1. To have someone know where you are
2. To show the cops you are not going to be a soft target; they may back off a bit

It is advisable to avoid using the duty solicitor as they are often either crap or hand in glove with the cops. It's worth finding the number of a good solicitor in your area and memorising it. The police are wary of decent solicitors. Also, avoid telling your solicitor exactly what happened; this can be sorted out later. For the time being, tell them you are refusing to speak. Your solicitor can come into the police station while the police interview you: you should refuse to be interviewed unless your solicitor is present.

Q: What is an interview?

An interview is the police questioning you about the offences they want to charge you with. The interview will usually take place in an interview room in the police station. An interview is only of benefit to the police. Remember they want to prosecute you for whatever charges they can stick on you. An interview is a no-win situation. For your benefit, the only thing to be said in an interview is "No Comment". Remember, they cannot legally force you to speak.

Q: Why do the police want me to answer questions?

If the police think they have enough evidence against you they will not need to interview you. In most public order arrests they rely on witness statements from 1 or 2 cops or bystanders, you won't even be interviewed.

The police want to convict as many people as possible because:

1. They want to convict you to make it look like they're doing a good job at solving crime. The "clear up rate" is very important to the cops, they have to be seen to be doing their job. The more crimes they get convictions for, the better it looks for them.
2. Police officers want promotion, to climb up the ladder of hierarchy. Coppers get promotion through the number of crimes they "solve". No copper wants to be a bobby all their life.

A "solved" crime is a conviction against somebody. You only have to look at such cases as the Birmingham Six to understand how far the police will go to get a conviction. Fitting people up to boost the "clear up rate", and at the same time removing people the cops don't like, is a widespread part of all police forces.

Q: So if the police want to interview me, it shows I could be in a good position?

Yes - they may not have enough evidence, and hope you'll implicate yourself or other people. And the easy way to stay in that good position is to refuse to be drawn into a conversation and answer "No Comment" to any questions.

Q: But what if the evidence looks like they have got something on me? Wouldn't it be best to explain away the circumstances I was arrested in, so they'll let me go?

The only evidence that matters is the evidence presented in court to the magistrate or judge. The only place to explain everything is in court. If they've decided to keep you in, no amount of explaining will get you out. If the police have enough evidence, anything you say can only add to the evidence against you. When the cops interview someone, they do all they can to confuse and intimidate you. The questions may not be related to the crime. Their aim is to soften you up, get you chatting. Don't answer a few small talk questions and them clam up when they ask you a question about the crime, it looks worse in court. To prosecute you, the police must present their evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service. A copy of the evidence will be sent to your solicitor. The evidence usually rests on very small points: this is why it's important not to give anything away in custody. If they don't have enough evidence the case could be thrown out of court or never even get to court. This is why they want you to speak. they need all the evidence they can get. One word could cause you a lot of trouble.

Q: So I've got to keep my mouth shut. What tricks can I expect the police to pull in order to make me talk?

The police try to get people to talk in many devious ways. The following are some pretty good examples, but remember they may try some other line on you.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT OFTEN CATCH PEOPLE OUT. DON'T GET CAUGHT OUT.

* "Come on now, we know it's you, your mate's in the next cell and he's told us the whole story"
If they've got the story, why do they need your confession? Playing co-accused off against each other is a common trick as you have no way of checking what another person is saying. If you are up to something dodgy with other people, work out a story and stick to it. Plus you can't be convicted just on the word of a co-accused.
* "We know it's not you, but we know you know who's done it. Come on Jane, don't be silly, tell us who did it"
The cops will use your first name to try and seem as though they're your friends. If you are young they will act in a fatherly/motherly way, etc.
* "As soon as we find out what happened you can go"
Fat chance!
* "Look you little bastard, don't fuck us about. We've dealt with some characters, a little runt like you is nothing to us. We know you did it, you little shit, and you're going to tell us"
* "What's a nice kid like you doing messed up in a thing like this?"
They're trying to get at you.
* "We'll keep you in until you tell us"
Unless they charge you for a "serious offence" they have to release you within 24 hours. Even if you are suspected of a "serious offence" you have the right to a solicitor after 36 hours, and only a magistrate can order you to be held without charge for longer.
* "You'll be charged with something far more serious if you don't answer our questions, sonny. You're for the high jump. You're not going to see the light of day for a long time. Start answering our questions cos we're getting sick of you"
Mental intimidation. They're unlikely to charge you with a serious charge that won't stick in court. Don't panic.
* "My niece is a bit of a rebel"
* "If someone's granny gets mugged tonight it'll be your fault. Stop wasting our time by not talking"
They're trying to make you feel guilty. Don't fall for it - did you ask to be nicked and interviewed?
* Mr Nice: "Hiya, what's it all about then? Sergeant Smith says you're in a bit of trouble. He's a bit wound up with you. You tell me what happened and Smith won't bother you. He's not the best of our officers, he loses his rag every now and again. So what happened?"
Mr Nice is a devious as Mr Nasty. He or she will offer you cigarettes, a cuppa, a blanket. It's the softly-softly approach. It's bollocks. "No Comment".
* "We've been here for half an hour now and you've not said a fucking word ... look you little ****, some of the CID boys will be down in a minute, they'll have you talking in no time. Talk now or I'll bring them in"
Keep at it , they're getting desperate. They're about to give up. You've a lot to lose by speaking.
* "Your girlfriend's outside. Do you want us to arrest her? We'll soon have her gear off for a strip search. I bet she'll tell us. You're making all this happen by being such a prick. Now talk."
They pick on your weak spots, family, friends, etc. Gerry Conlon of the Guildford Four was told that his mother would be shot by the RUC unless he confessed. Cops do sometimes victimise prisoner's families, but mostly they are bluffing.
* "You're a fucking loony. Who'd want you for a mother, you daft *****? Confess or your kids are going into care"
* "Look, we've tried to contact your solicitor, but we can't get hold of them. It's going to drag on for ages this way. Why don't you use one of our duty solicitors, and we'll soon get the situation cleared up so you can go home"
Never accept an interview without your solicitor present, and don't make a statement even if your solicitor advises you to - a good one won't.
* "You're obviously no dummy. I'll tell you what, we'll do a deal. You admit to one of the charges, and we'll recommend to the judge that you get a non-custodial sentence, because you've co-operated. How does that sound?"
They're trying to get you to do a deal. There are no deals to be made with the police. This bloke got sent down for not paying a fine. The prisoner he was handcuffed to in the prison bus did a deal with the police. He pleaded guilty to a charge after being promised a non-custodial sentence. The man trusted the police, he was a smalltime businessman accused of fraud. When it came to court, the judge gave him 2 years. The bloke was speechless!
* "We've been round to the address you gave us and the people there say they don't know you. We've checked up on the DSS computer and there's no sign of you. Now come on, tell us who you are. Wasting police time is a very serious offence. Now tell us who you are or you've had it"
If you've sorted out a false address with someone make sure they're reliable, and everyone in the place knows the name you're using. Stick at it, if you're confident. You can't be charged for wasting police time for not answering questions.
* "They've abolished the right to silence - you have to tell us everything now, it's the law"
As we said at the beginning, you can still say nothing. There is no obligation to tell the cops anything beyond your name, address and date of birth.

If you are nicked on very serious charges, or for serious violence to a police officer, the cops may rough you up, or use violence and torture to get a confession (true or false) out of you. Many of the people freed after being fitted up by the West Midlands Serious Crimes Squad, or coming to light now in Manchester, were physically abused till they admitted to things they hadn't done. If this happens, obviously it's your decision to speak rather than face serious injury, but remember, what you say could land you inside for a long time, even if it's not true. Don't rely on retracting a confession in court - it's hard to back down once you've said something.

__________________________________________________ _________________

In the police station the cops rely on people's naivety. If you are sussed the chances are they'll give up on you. In these examples we have tried to show how they'll needle you to speak. That's why you have to know what to do when you're arrested. The hassle in the copshop isn't nice, but if you are on the ball, you can get off. You have to be prepared. We've had a lot of experience of the police and we simply say:

1. Keep calm and cool when you are arrested. (Remember you are on their home ground).
2. Get a solicitor.
3. Never make a statement.
4. Don't get drawn into conversations with the police.
5. If they rough you up, see a doctor immediately after being released. Get a written report of all bruising and marking. Remember the officer's names and numbers if possible.

__________________________________________________ ____________

Having said nothing in the police station, you can then look at the evidence and work out your alibi, your side of the story. This is how you will get off.
Remember:

* An interview is a no-win situation. You are not obliged to speak.
* If the police want to interview you, it shows you're in a good position.
* The only way to stay in that position is to refuse to be drawn into any conversation and answer "No Comment" to any questions.

Q: What can I do if one of my friends or family has been arrested?

If someone you know is arrested, there's a lot you can do to help them from the outside:

1. If you know what name they are using - as soon as you think they've been arrested, ring the police station. Ask whether they are being held there and on what charges.
2. Inform a decent solicitor.
3. Remove anything from the arrested person's house that the police may find interesting: letters, address books, false IDs, etc in case the police raid the house.
4. Take food, cigarettes, etc into the police station for your arrested friend, but DON'T go into the police station to enquire about a prisoner if you run the risk of being arrested yourself.

The police have been known to lay off a prisoner if they have visible support from outside. It's solidarity which keeps prisoners in good spirits.

This information taken from a pamphlet by London Anarchist Black Cross 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3XX.

http://www.schnews.org.uk/diyguide/defenda...idetoarrest.htm (http://www.schnews.org.uk/diyguide/defendantsguidetoarrest.htm)

[anarchista feminista]

I was sure there was info on here somewhere but I cannot find it. What about Australia? :o :(

[Black Dagger]

This should help,

http://www.activistrights.org.au/

[anarchista feminista]

Originally posted by Black [email protected] 30, 2006 08:33 pm
This should help,

http://www.activistrights.org.au/
sweeet :D thank you :)

[An archist]

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allways useful