Consider This...
Know your rights Bob Dilllinger, Public Defender for Florida’s 6th Circuit (Pasco and Pinellas counties), hands out a “My Rights Card.” It lists your rights when dealing with the law:
- I want an attorney present before I speak with you [law enforcement officer (LEO)].
- I do not want to talk with anyone about my case.
- I do not want to answer any questions or reply to any charges with out my lawyer present.
- I do not want to do any test, do not want my property searched, and do not want to be in any lineup.
- I do not waive any of my Constitutional rights.
This card should be given to every student along with a discussion of the what these rights mean to them. Should they find themselves in trouble with the law (disorderly conduct at school is a common way to find yourself in trouble with the law). Most important of these rights is to remain silent, Zip your lip! Do not try to “please” the law by chatting up your predicament. Say nothing until you have a parent, guardian or lawyer with you. This old piece to T-shirt wisdom is worth repeating: “Remember, any thing you say can and will be twisted and used against you.”
To call the 6th Circuit Public Defender:
 | Clearwater (727) 464-6516 |
| Dade City (352) 521-4388 |
| New Port Richey (727) 847-8155). |
Six Myths Often, law enforcement officer (LEO) feel compelled to advise parent on how to deal with their "unmanageable teen":
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“Knock his teeth down his throat!”;
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“Send him to boot camp!”;
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“Emancipate him!”;
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“We’ll take him to JDC!”;
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“Kick him out!”;
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“When he’s eighteen, throw him out!”
Click here to go to My Word and read Myths.
Truth on a T-Shirt: "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be misquoted and used against you!"
Warning to Parents: Get EVERYTHING in writing! Click here to find out why...
Do not plead guilty! This is not legal advice...just suggested action based on almost everything we've heard and experienced:
ALWAYS initially plead NOT GUILTY. You can always change your NOT
GUILTY plea to GUILTY, but you can't easily change your GUILTY plea to NOT
GUILTY. What this means is to never instantly plead guilty, even if you
thought you were in any way guilty of anything. Some very honorable
(and innocent) people have
been caught in many traps by the system by quickly pleading guilty.
Many of the "system" people will tell you something that just is not true, so for various reasons, it is in your best interest to wait many days or weeks before changing your 'not guilty' plea.
Don't Talk to Police!? On July 14, 2008, Justice4Kids.org received a link to a video presentation by Professor James Duane and Virginia Beach Police Department Officer George Bruch. The title of the presentation is Don’t Talk to Police! It warns that you can be convicted by talking to the police even if you are innocent and tell the truth! Talking to the police "can not help you!" Click here to view the 48-minute video.
Also, to read your rights, as listed by Bob Dillinger, Public Defender, 6th Circuit, click here.
