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Living Resource · The Ledger

THE LEDGER

Black civil rights attorneys, know-your-rights scripts for every state, and law-related resources gathered for our people. Knowledge is a form of protection.

One-Page Rights Guide →

Section · 01

Federal Baseline

Under the 4th and 5th Amendments, these rights apply nationwide. Say them aloud. Speak calmly. Keep hands visible.

  • • You have the right to remain silent. Say: "I am exercising my right to remain silent."
  • • You must show license, registration, and proof of insurance when driving.
  • • You do not have to consent to a search. Say: "I do not consent to any searches."
  • • You have the right to record police in public under the First Amendment. Keep the phone visible; do not interfere.
  • • You may ask: "Am I being detained, or am I free to go?"
  • • If arrested, ask for a lawyer. Do not answer questions until one is present.

Sources: NAACP Legal Defense Fund (naacpldf.org), ACLU (aclu.org/know-your-rights), Hiibel v. Sixth Judicial District Court, 542 U.S. 177 (2004).

Section · 02

Your State

Select your state below. Rules vary — this covers all 50 states + DC. Sources listed for every entry.

IL · Illinois

Rights during a traffic stop

Stop & Identify state
Yes — must give name when lawfully detained
Driver must show docs
Yes — license, registration, insurance
Passengers must identify
May be required if independently suspected
Vehicle searches
Consent, probable cause, warrant, or exception required
Recording police
Legal in public — 1st Amendment

Script to say aloud

"Officer, I am exercising my right to remain silent. Here is my license, registration, and insurance. I do not consent to any searches."

Sources: aclu-il.org · naacpldf.org · aclu.org

Section · 03

If They Escalate

When an officer pushes past the routine — asks to search, orders you out, requests a breath test, walks a dog around the car, or starts questioning — these are the words to say. Calm voice. Hands visible. Say the phrase, then stop talking. Repeating a phrase is not resisting.

Script · 01

They ask to search your car, bag, pockets, or phone

Consent waives your 4th Amendment protection. Without your consent, they need probable cause, a warrant, or a recognized exception.

Say aloud

  • "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?"

Notes

  • • Say it even if they search anyway. Your words on record matter later.
  • • Never physically resist a search — challenge it in court, not on the roadside.
  • • Phones: refuse consent. Do not unlock. Face/fingerprint unlock can be compelled in some circuits — use a passcode.

Script · 02

They ask you to step out of the vehicle

Pennsylvania v. Mimms (1977) lets officers order the driver out during a lawful stop. Maryland v. Wilson (1997) extends this to passengers. Comply — but stepping out is not consent to search.

Say aloud

  • "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?"

Notes

  • • Move slowly. Keep hands visible. Close the door behind you.
  • • If they pat you down, say once: "I do not consent, but I will not resist."

Script · 03

Breathalyzer or field sobriety test at a traffic stop

Every state has an 'implied consent' law: refusing a post-arrest chemical test triggers automatic license suspension (6–18 months typical) and can be used against you at trial. Roadside pre-arrest tests (portable breathalyzer, walk-and-turn, one-leg stand, eye tracking) are almost always optional in most states — Illinois included. Know your state before you refuse.

Say aloud

  • Roadside / pre-arrest: "I respectfully decline field sobriety tests and the portable breath test."
  • Post-arrest at the station: understand the trade-off — refusing the chemical test almost always costs your license, but may deny prosecutors a blood-alcohol number.
  • "I want to speak to a lawyer before answering questions or taking any test."

Notes

  • • Field sobriety tests are designed to build probable cause. They are subjective and hard to pass sober.
  • • In IL, NY, CA, and most states, refusing roadside tests carries no license penalty — the penalty attaches to the post-arrest chemical test.
  • • If you have a CDL or are on probation/parole, the calculus changes. Ask a lawyer first when possible.

Script · 04

K-9 unit / drug dog walks around your car

Illinois v. Caballes (2005) allows a dog sniff during a lawful stop. Rodriguez v. United States (2015) says the stop cannot be prolonged to wait for the dog. If they extend the stop for the dog, that's a 4th Amendment violation.

Say aloud

  • "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."

Notes

  • • Note the time the stop began and the time the dog arrived. Write it down after.
  • • If the dog 'alerts,' they may search. Still say aloud: "I do not consent."

Script · 05

They start questioning you

5th Amendment. Silence cannot be used against you — but only if you invoke it out loud (Salinas v. Texas, 2013). Sitting quietly is not enough.

Say aloud

  • "I am exercising my right to remain silent."
  • "I want a lawyer."
  • Then stop talking. Do not explain. Do not negotiate. Do not answer "just one more question."

Notes

  • • You must say it clearly. "Maybe I should talk to a lawyer" has been ruled not clear enough.
  • • Repeat the phrase if they keep asking. Repetition is not resistance.

Script · 06

They come to your home without a warrant

4th Amendment — the home has the highest protection. They need a warrant signed by a judge, your consent, or a true emergency to enter.

Say aloud

  • Through the door — do not open it: "I do not consent to entry. Do you have a warrant signed by a judge?"
  • If they claim a warrant: "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."

Notes

  • • A search warrant lets them enter to search — you still don't have to answer questions.
  • • An arrest warrant lets them enter the named person's own home to arrest them.
  • • ICE administrative warrants (Form I-200 / I-205) are NOT signed by a judge and do NOT authorize entry. Say: "That is not a judicial warrant. I do not consent to entry."

Script · 07

They try to look at, take, or search your phone

Riley v. California (2014) — police need a warrant to search a phone, even after arrest. Border and jail-booking exceptions exist. Passcodes are protected 5th Amendment testimony in most circuits; biometrics (Face ID / fingerprint) are not, so disable them before high-risk encounters.

Say aloud

  • "I do not consent to a search of my phone."
  • "I will not unlock my phone. I want a lawyer."

Notes

  • • iPhone: hold side + volume for 2 seconds to force passcode-only (disables Face ID/Touch ID).
  • • Android: hold power → Lockdown, or restart the phone.
  • • Never delete anything after a stop — that can be obstruction. Just lock it and stay silent.

Script · 08

They stop you on the street (no car)

Terry v. Ohio (1968) allows a brief stop and pat-down for weapons if they have reasonable suspicion. A pat-down is not a full search.

Say aloud

  • "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."

Notes

  • • If free to go — walk, don't run. Running near police can create legal 'suspicion' in many states.
  • • In stop-and-identify states, you must give your name. You still don't have to answer other questions.

Script · 09

If you are arrested

Miranda v. Arizona (1966) — questioning must stop once you clearly ask for a lawyer. Anything before Miranda warnings may still be used against you, so start silent.

Say aloud

  • "I am exercising my right to remain silent. I want a lawyer. I do not consent to any searches."
  • Then say nothing else — not to police, not to cellmates, not on jail phones (all calls are recorded).

Notes

  • • Do not sign anything except a personal-recognizance / bond form your attorney has cleared.
  • • Memorize one lawyer's phone number — your phone will be locked in property.
  • • You have the right to a phone call in most jurisdictions. Use it for a lawyer or family, not a confession.

Grounded in: U.S. Constitution (4th, 5th, 6th Amendments); Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966); Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968); Pennsylvania v. Mimms, 434 U.S. 106 (1977); Riley v. California, 573 U.S. 373 (2014); Rodriguez v. United States, 575 U.S. 348 (2015); Salinas v. Texas, 570 U.S. 178 (2013); NAACP Legal Defense Fund, ACLU Know-Your-Rights.

Section · 04

Attorneys & Organizations

Black-owned or Black-led civil rights firms, plus ally organizations (clearly labeled). Chicago first. More attorneys added as ownership is publicly verified.

  • Chicago · Civil rights · Black-owned

    Action Injury Law Group — Andrew M. Stroth

    Managing partner Andrew M. Stroth litigates police misconduct and wrongful-conviction cases; recognized by Crain's Chicago Business as a Notable Black Leader & Executive.

    Visit →

  • National · Black-led · Litigation

    NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF)

    The nation's oldest civil rights legal organization, founded by Thurgood Marshall. Racial-justice litigation, advocacy, and public education.

    Visit →

  • National · Directory of Black attorneys

    National Bar Association

    The oldest and largest national association of predominantly Black attorneys and judges. Searchable member directory by state and practice area.

    Visit →

  • Ally · Rights guides

    ACLU — Know Your Rights

    Comprehensive know-your-rights guides for police encounters, protests, immigration, schools, and more. Ally organization — not Black-owned.

    Visit →

  • Chicago · Free representation

    Cook County Public Defender

    Free legal representation for people who cannot afford an attorney in Cook County criminal proceedings.

    Visit →

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