Breaking the law is a pretty serious thing. When was your last time?

You may have broken it and not even noticed…

If you drive above the speed limit, even by a couple MPH, you are breaking the law. If you J-walk, you are breaking the law. If you text while driving, at least in NC, you are breaking the law. There are even laws that have been passed that restrict what sexual positions you can enjoy.

It is a comfortable thought that law enforcement and the government have our best interests in mind. Unfortunately, this complacent thinking could land you in jail. Learn to flex your rights!

Why Do We Have Laws?

Most laws have been enacted to help keep us safe from ourselves and each other. We are all required to follow the law or be potentially face punishment by jail time, fines, or mandatory community service.

We all have the ability and choice to break or not break the law. If you are arrested for something you did or did not do, the only thing that matters is what that jury decides. Innocent people do go to jail. Guilty people do get off. Your future and freedom is not something you want to leave up to chance.

Blind Faith

There are many people out there who blindly follow the law and what the government says. They do not question why there are certain laws. They simply believe that since the government said so, it must be right and in their best interest.

In a perfect world, these faithful people would be right. In reality, this is not a perfect world and the government does not always do things in our best interest. Police officers and government officials are people. People make mistakes. People can have ulterior motives. People can lie…

There is a common belief that most people out there are “good” or have the common interest at heart. This is an optimistic outlook, and I am all for optimism, but the power of positive thinking will not keep you out of jail if the jury or judge finds you guilty.

Why You Should Never Talk To The Police

Here is a 2-part video from a class given at a law school. In the first video, the law professor discusses why you should never talk to the police without seeking counsel from a defense attorney. The second video features a police detective discussing his tactics to obtain confessions from the people he has arrested.

Closing

I am not advocating that you break the law. We should all lead our lives in a way that causes minimal harm to others.

In America, you are innocent until proven guilty. If you ever find yourself in a situation where law enforcement is involved, be aware of  the potential repercussions of talking to the police. If I ever have to face such a situation, I know I will be using my 5th amendment right to silence.

Suggested Reading/Videos From Around The Web

• How Police Interrogation Works
• The Philosophy of Liberty
• Citizen’s Guide to Surviving a Police Encounter
• Traffic Stop Scenario