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What to do if you are stopped or arrested by police

It is important to know when and how to call the police. Learn what to expect when you call 911 or your local police station. Know your rights when talking to the police. Find other safety resources if you don’t feel comfortable contacting police.


In the USA, the police are generally good and want to help you. But you should know your rights. You have rights even if you are not a US citizen. You should know that law enforcement officers may briefly hold and question you if they suspect you were involved in a crime. They might do this even if there are not enough reasons to arrest you.

Watch a video: Immigrants’ rights – what to do if stopped

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=lj48MJoBUCs&feature=emb_logo)

You can also watch this video in ArabicFarsiSpanish and Urdu.

You can see another video about how to interact with the police in English, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Kinyarwanda, Russian and Swahili.

Your rights if you are stopped in a car or arrested by police while in a car

  • You have the right to remain silent and not answer any questions.
  • When receiving a citation (a ticket for speeding, for example) you must provide your driver’s license, insurance, and vehicle registration if requested.
  • The officer can ask you to step out of the car. You should do what they ask.
  • Police are not allowed to check the car unless there is “probable cause.”
  • You do not have the right to leave if the officer tells you to stay.
  • A pat down is typically a surface search done over your clothes. It can happen if the officer has a reason to believe there is something suspicious happening, but he or she cannot go through your pockets. In a search, they have a more thorough method where they might search under your clothes. You are legally allowed to refuse both of them.

Your rights if you are arrested by police or taken to a police station

  • If you are arrested by police, you have the right to remain silent and the right to talk to a lawyer.
  • You are allowed to make 3 phone calls within 3 hours of getting arrested.
  • You can tell the police basic information about yourself but no more until your lawyer arrives.
  • Don’t discuss your immigrant status with anyone but your lawyer.

Your rights if a police officer wants to search your home or car

  • Law enforcement is not allowed to search your home without your consent or a search warrant. A warrant is a legal document that gives them permission to search. If you are away from home, the police can search your home if someone else consents to it.
  • You should not let an officer enter your home unless they have a warrant.
  • The warrant should be signed by a judge.
  • If an officer insists on entering without a warrant, do not resist. You can say that you do not allow it, then immediately call a lawyer.

The Supreme Court only allows a law enforcement officer to enter a house without knocking if they have “a reasonable suspicion.” This means that they believe something illegal might be happening. They also think that giving advance warning they are there might be dangerous or might allow the suspect to destroy any evidence.

For more information to help you understand your rights, you can read our “know your rights” information. It was prepared in partnership with Church World Services, which offers low-cost legal services to immigrants.

Questions and answers about being detained or arrested by police

Here are some answers to questions you may have about being stopped or arrested.

Do I have to answer questions asked by law enforcement?

You have a constitutional right to remain silent, so you do not need to answer questions. You do not have to talk to any officers or anyone else. It is a good idea to talk to a lawyer before answering any questions. Tell the police officer you choose not to answer. But always be respectful and polite as much as possible.

How should I behave if I am stopped in my car?

Try to move slowly and make sure you always keep your hands visible to the officer. Don’t physically resist a pat down or search. Instead say, “I do not consent to a search.” Ask the officer if you are free to leave, and if the officer says yes, then leave calmly. However, if the officer says no, you must stay. Never run away, and keep your hands visible all the time.

What if I am treated badly by law enforcement officers?

You have the right to ask the officer for his information, such as his name and badge number. Try to find witnesses, and if you are injured, take pictures as soon as possible. Call a lawyer or your local human rights protection office.

Do I have to show my immigration documents if I am arrested by police?

Non-citizens who are 18 years or older should carry their documents with them at all times. If you are undocumented and cannot show US immigration documents, you can choose not to answer questions about your status. These questions might include, “Are you a citizen?” or, “Where are you from?” Do not lie about your status, but say instead that you choose not to answer.


The information on this page comes from ACLU, CWS, and other trusted sources. We aim to offer easy to understand information that is updated regularly. This information is not legal advice.

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