The Ledger — One-Page Rights Guide. Print this page (Ctrl/Cmd + P) or Save as PDF. Fits one page US Letter.

Hip Hop Divinity® · The Ledger

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS — ONE-PAGE GUIDE

Calm voice · Hands visible
Say the phrase · Then stop talking

Federal baseline (every stop)

› "Am I being detained, or am I free to go?"
› "I am exercising my right to remain silent."
› "I do not consent to any searches."
› "I want a lawyer."

01 · They ask to search car / bag / pockets / phone

› "I do not consent to any searches."
› "I do not consent to a search of my car, my person, my bag, or my phone."
› "Am I being detained, or am I free to go?"

02 · They order you out of the vehicle

› "I will step out. I do not consent to any searches of my vehicle or my person."
› "Am I being detained, or am I free to go?"
› (If patted down) "I do not consent, but I will not resist."

03 · Breathalyzer / field sobriety

› Roadside (pre-arrest): "I respectfully decline field sobriety tests and the portable breath test."
› Post-arrest (station): implied-consent law — refusal usually costs your license.
› "I want to speak to a lawyer before answering questions or taking any test."

04 · K-9 / drug dog around your car

› "Am I being detained, or am I free to go?"
› "I do not consent to any searches. I do not consent to prolonging this stop."
› (Note the time the stop began and the time the dog arrived.)

05 · They start questioning you

› "I am exercising my right to remain silent."
› "I want a lawyer."
› Then stop talking. Do not explain. Do not negotiate.

06 · Police at your door without a warrant

› (Through the door — do not open it) "I do not consent to entry. Do you have a warrant signed by a judge?"
› "Slide it under the door or hold it to the window so I can read it."
› "I am exercising my right to remain silent. I want a lawyer."
› ICE Form I-200 / I-205 is NOT a judicial warrant — do not open the door.

07 · They try to search your phone

› "I do not consent to a search of my phone."
› "I will not unlock my phone. I want a lawyer."
› (iPhone: side + volume 2 sec to force passcode. Android: Lockdown or restart.)

08 · Street stop (no car)

› "Am I being detained, or am I free to go?"
› "I am exercising my right to remain silent."
› "I do not consent to a search."
› (In stop-and-identify states: give your name only.)

09 · If you are arrested

› "I am exercising my right to remain silent. I want a lawyer. I do not consent to any searches."
› Then say nothing — not to police, not to cellmates, not on jail phones (all recorded).
› Sign nothing except a bond form your attorney has cleared.