Know the Law
Your Rights
It’s important for you to know your rights. You have certain rights given to you by the U.S. Constitution, as well as rights regarding interactions with police officers in your home. The information below will educate you about your rights and help you make smart decisions when dealing with law enforcement.
- The First Amendment protects your right to speak freely and to advocate for social change. Realize that immigration officials can target you based on your political activities if you are a noncitizen and subject to deportation.
- The Fourth Amendment restricts the government's power to enter your home or workplace, or to search your car.
- The Fifth Amendment gives you the right to remain silent - to not answer questions asked by a police officer or any other governmental official.
- If the police knock and ask to enter your home, you do not have to admit them unless they have a warrant signed by a judge. You have the right to examine the warrant first.
- Any officer may enter your home without a warrant if they observe evidence in plain view (i.e., through an open door), are in hot pursuit of a fleeing felon, or reasonably believe that a person inside the room is in need of immediate aid.
- If you consent to allow an officer to enter your home for any reason, anything the officer sees in plain view can be seized and held against you.
- Officers rarely ask, "May I enter your room to look for evidence in plain view?" or, "May I perform a full search of your person?" You must be aware of what is going on, and you must say whether or not you give consent. Be firm, clear and polite.
- Think carefully about your words, movements, body language and emotions.
- Do not argue with the officer.
- Do not run. Do not touch the officer.
- Do not physically resist, even if you believe that you are wrongfully stopped.
- Do not make any statements regarding the incident.
- Remember that once a conversation with a police officer is brought to an end, the officer must either arrest you or let you go.
- If you are arrested, ask for a lawyer immediately.
- Upon request, show your driver's license, registration and proof of insurance. You must step out of the car if asked. If the police officer has a reasonable belief that the person stopped is presently armed and dangerous, they may conduct a limited protective frisk. The frisk must be limited to a search for weapons.
- To protect yourself, you should make it clear that you do not consent to a search. It is not lawful for police to arrest you simply for refusing to consent to a search.
- If you are given a ticket, you should sign it. If you do not, you can be arrested. You can fight the case in court at a later date. Do not interfere with a search or obstruct the police; you can be arrested for it.
- If you are suspected of driving under the influence (DUI) and you refuse to take the blood, urine or breath test, your driver's license will be suspended.
- Assess your rights. Tell the officer that you want to speak to a lawyer.
- Do not sign any papers before a lawyer has advised you of the consequences of signing and your rights and responsibilities under the law.
Contact Us
Students' Legal AssistancePeters Campus Life Building, room 150
815-753-1701
studentslegal@niu.edu
Monday-Friday
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.