Knowing Your Rights in the Justice System

The process of criminal justice is harrowing enough for anyone caught within it without additional confusion and abuse. The fact of the matter is that, in this country, due process isn't always followed, unlawful arrests are often made, and people don't often know their rights. Here are some things you can do to change that.

Daily

• Know the law and your rights — it is not illegal to videotape interactions with the police

Weekly

• Talk to government officials about requiring police officers to explain their logic behind using probable cause to investigate a situation in detail, so they are held accountable for their actions

Monthly

• Educate others on social media about their rights
• Contact the ACLU about any disconcerting cases locally

Periodically

• Submit FOIA requests to police stations and courthouses for records of police interactions, to make sure probable cause has been established