If your rights may have been violated, you can:
- Try to remember everything that happened
- Write everything down when you can, including names of officers, patrol car numbers, and the specific agency they work for
- Get medical help if you were injured during the process, and take photos of the injuries
- Look for witnesses and ask for their names and phone numbers
- File a written complaint with the law enforcement agency’s internal affairs division or the civilian complaint board
- Contact your lawyer or the local ACLU office
Additionally, if officers performed a search without a warrant or your consent, state calmly and clearly to them that you have not given your consent. However, do not interfere to protect yourself from harm or being arrested.
Instead, ask anyone there to witness that you’re not giving permission. Write down the names, badge numbers, and departments of the searching officers. Then contact your lawyer as soon as you can.
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