Picture the Homeless

1) Knowing the law is an important tool in fighting police abuse. If you know the law, you can know what to look for in police interactions when you think that the police were violating your rights.

2) Just because you are ticketed or arrested for something does not mean that you were doing something illegal. The police can make mistakes in filling out paperwork or be wrong about the law, and you have the right to defend yourself against these errors.

3) Common mistakes that the police make are writing the wrong charge or number of the law associated with that charge on your ticket or paperwork. Sometimes the police will write something down that does not match your behavior or will charge you with something (like panhandling) that is not illegal. You can use your knowledge of the law to challenge these types of mistakes in court and as a way to hold the police accountable.

Once you know the law, you can make informed decisions about what your options are and what actions you want to take. You are not a victim of the law, but can be an active participant – from challenging tickets and arrests on an individual level, to educating others on their rights and working for social change.