Scan barcode
amandawinnie's review
4.0
Basically, don't talk to the police, because they're allowed to lie you and literally will use anything you say, innocent or not, to try to convict you (I just love America SO MUCH these days.) You can give them your name and explain what you're doing at the present moment they're speaking to you but never get into past tense or tell them anything else, even the truth. I know Duane says the cops are just people doing their jobs in a twisted system, but I'll be damned if I ever met a cop who wasn't cocky and self-assured of his job to "deliver justice." Don't be nasty with them, but don't pander to them either.
Also don't plead the Fifth Amendment, because now the courts can use that against you as your silence can imply guilt. Who knew?? Shoutout to Scalia for being an asshole and thinking his son using silence when asked if he saw dirty movies was comparable to someone remaining silent when faced with being charged with a federal crime. Rest in pieces. Just say "I want a lawyer" and nothing else when the cops or ANY federal agent (not just from the FBI) tries to question you. There's an unimaginable number of dumb federal offenses you could be and probably are committing daily and unknowingly, so don't get yourself behind bars for something as trivial as poisoning your kid's fish.
Very enlightening, and in today's increasingly horrific political climate, it contains some important information to know as a citizen. Worth the short read, or just watch the Youtube video version if you're lazy.
Also don't plead the Fifth Amendment, because now the courts can use that against you as your silence can imply guilt. Who knew?? Shoutout to Scalia for being an asshole and thinking his son using silence when asked if he saw dirty movies was comparable to someone remaining silent when faced with being charged with a federal crime. Rest in pieces. Just say "I want a lawyer" and nothing else when the cops or ANY federal agent (not just from the FBI) tries to question you. There's an unimaginable number of dumb federal offenses you could be and probably are committing daily and unknowingly, so don't get yourself behind bars for something as trivial as poisoning your kid's fish.
Very enlightening, and in today's increasingly horrific political climate, it contains some important information to know as a citizen. Worth the short read, or just watch the Youtube video version if you're lazy.
nyame002's review against another edition
challenging
informative
fast-paced
4.0
Don't talk to the cops, say, "I want a lawyer."
flamepea's review
3.0
This book was very insightful and I think is very relevant to adolescents to adults. Most of my ideas of interrogations/interviews with police have been from the media or common misconceptions. Although this sounds very obvious this book delves a lot deeper and I am referring to innocent people accidentally incriminating themselves. This book also touches on the failure of the justice system but mainly is on the corruption of police/human mistakes they can make to ‘proving’ someone guilty.
Summary for personal use:
1. Do not answer any questions except what is required and relating to the situation. If it is irrelevant or referring to the past or even blatantly asking you if something from the crime scene is related to you use your right to remain silent. Do not be a mute or specifically say “I am using my right to remain silent in Section 8 (Australia) so I do not accidentally incriminate myself.” Just say “No comment.”
2. Ask for a lawyer, simply say “I want a lawyer.” No being polite as they will brush off your request and even if they attempt to question you after asking for a lawyer they are required under the law to stop eventually.
Although this book was very useful I did not rate it 4-5 stars as there were extensive amounts of examples that made the book feel slower. If you’re interested in more a quick to point or summary of the book I would recommend the first review however I still really enjoyed the book.
Summary for personal use:
1. Do not answer any questions except what is required and relating to the situation. If it is irrelevant or referring to the past or even blatantly asking you if something from the crime scene is related to you use your right to remain silent. Do not be a mute or specifically say “I am using my right to remain silent in Section 8 (Australia) so I do not accidentally incriminate myself.” Just say “No comment.”
2. Ask for a lawyer, simply say “I want a lawyer.” No being polite as they will brush off your request and even if they attempt to question you after asking for a lawyer they are required under the law to stop eventually.
Although this book was very useful I did not rate it 4-5 stars as there were extensive amounts of examples that made the book feel slower. If you’re interested in more a quick to point or summary of the book I would recommend the first review however I still really enjoyed the book.
smoralesjr's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
5.0
A must read for every American.
11corvus11's review against another edition
2.0
I hate to give this such a low rating because Duane obviously cares about this topic and about helping people to understand their rights. I didn't find the material as boring as other reviewers because I'm interested in both criminal injustice and human behavior. Yet, this book is flawed in multiple ways.
It is disorganized which makes understanding how the case studies and other resources fit together difficult. The author never summarizes exactly what someone should say or do after he spends most of the book telling them what not to do. Furthermore, he gives cops, prosecutors, and judges way too much credit for being "only human" which can suggest that somehow criminal suspects are on an equal playing field with cops. I don't know if he was trying to avoid coming off as anti-police but in my opinion, you can't write this book without directly calling out the police and the criminal injustice system (which to his credit, he does do at times but then back pedals and calls cops who are obviously playing Russian roulette with people's lives "well intentioned.") Finally, a pet peeve was how often he downplayed the exploitation of nonhuman animals as a way to give examples of poorly written laws. I know most folks don't care much about animals other than some humans but I am always going to call it like I see it.
I do think Duane is capable of turning this into a better book with some organization and elaboration. I received this as a good reads giveaway so maybe this is not the final version. It needs to be longer and better edited. I do dig the cover design though.
In short, if you aren't interested in case studies, avoid this book and repeat after me: "Am I being detained? Am I free to go? I am going to remain silent. I want to speak to an attorney. I do not consent to a search." Rinse and repeat.
It is disorganized which makes understanding how the case studies and other resources fit together difficult. The author never summarizes exactly what someone should say or do after he spends most of the book telling them what not to do. Furthermore, he gives cops, prosecutors, and judges way too much credit for being "only human" which can suggest that somehow criminal suspects are on an equal playing field with cops. I don't know if he was trying to avoid coming off as anti-police but in my opinion, you can't write this book without directly calling out the police and the criminal injustice system (which to his credit, he does do at times but then back pedals and calls cops who are obviously playing Russian roulette with people's lives "well intentioned.") Finally, a pet peeve was how often he downplayed the exploitation of nonhuman animals as a way to give examples of poorly written laws. I know most folks don't care much about animals other than some humans but I am always going to call it like I see it.
I do think Duane is capable of turning this into a better book with some organization and elaboration. I received this as a good reads giveaway so maybe this is not the final version. It needs to be longer and better edited. I do dig the cover design though.
In short, if you aren't interested in case studies, avoid this book and repeat after me: "Am I being detained? Am I free to go? I am going to remain silent. I want to speak to an attorney. I do not consent to a search." Rinse and repeat.
toastyghostie's review
4.0
Super quick read, something everyone should read. In short, literally say nothing, except to ask for a lawyer.