KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WHEN YOU GET STOPPED

Students learned how to maintain their constitutional rights without
causing problems with police officers during traffic stops.

The Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma presented "Busted: The Citizens Guide
to Surviving Police Encounters," a short film by Flex Your Rights
discussing the most common mistakes people make when interacting with
the police at the Wes Watkins Center on Wednesday night.

The video outlined proper techniques to use when pulled over in a car,
when approached by police on the street and when the police come to
your home.

The video's main advice was to remain courteous to the officer while
asserting your constitutional rights.

The video said the best phrases to use in a situation where police ask
you whether they may search your space are "I don't consent to any
searches," "Am I free to go?" and "I have nothing to say without
consulting my lawyer."

This lets the police officer politely know he or she may not search
without a warrant. The rights provided in the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth
amendments protect citizens in these scenarios from illegal searches.

Meghan Correin, a hotel and restaurant management senior, said he
thought the video provided useful information for avoiding searches
happen all too often.

"It's something that you hear about all the time through word of
mouth," Correin said. "If we have discussion about avoiding searches
- -- I think it gives you a little more power and makes you feel better
about being able do it and knowing for sure that you can do that."

Another piece of advice the video offered was to answer the officer's
question, "Do you know why I pulled you over," with another question,
"Why did you pull me over, sir?"

These questions help citizens avoid admitting to any crime the police
can later use against the citizen.

President of the group, Ron Shewey, led a discussion after the
film.

Shewey said the purpose of his group is to act as an educational tool
to inform the public about legal and illegal drugs and the issues
surrounding drugs.

Shewey said the group believes the government should not make the use
of any drug illegal.

"The Drug Policy Forum is an anti-prohibition or anti-drug war
organization," Shewey said. "We don't think anybody should be locked
up for using a substance [of] any kind. It should be legalized and
regulated."

Shewey said that although prisons are full, the district attorney
continues to lock up nonviolent drug offenders.

Shewey said he believed this video would inform citizens on how they
can confidently avoid searches that may lead to arrests.

Shewey said he wanted students to know that no matter what a police
officer says students do not have to agree to a search without a warrant.

"Be courteous and keep in mind unless you invite the police into your
space, they can't be there," Shewey said. "Never invite them into your
space because they are looking for ways to get you into trouble."

Steve Kammerzell, a history senior, said, "Many students get nervous
because they think of the cop having authority of power over you, but
there are little things like ask questions to answer questions. I
mean, that's good, I'm probably going to use that."