In the US. As I do more irl stuff, I am becoming concerned about being arrested at a protest or whatever. I've not yet come anywhere close to this happening, but should I do some prep like this ahead of time? Are there PSL approved lawyers or something, how should I know who to call? Will I need to have the number memorized? Can I cold call them post arrest or should I form a relationship first? I don't want to get billed.

  • comrade_pibb [comrade/them]
    ·
    10 months ago

    The National Lawyers Guild should be in your radar: https://www.nlg.org/about/

    They provide chapter based defense hotlines. It's never a bad idea to have their 800 number written on your arm in sharpie before an action. https://www.nlg.org/chapters/#massdefense

    • GaveUp [she/her]
      ·
      10 months ago

      Replying just to bump this comment

      They may also have an "outside of jail" and "inside of jail" number for your area

    • Infamousblt [any]
      ·
      10 months ago

      This is what I came to say. The NLG is what you want here. Write their hotline number on your arm and the number of one contact that isn't at the protest and isn't particularly involved with stuff (so they cops can't try to nab them on something too). This way you have legal help (the NLG) and a contact who can pick you up and/or bail you out or coordinate bail. Make sure you coordinate with the emergency contact number; tell them you're going and when so they know if they get a random call to pick it up. Don't write names, just the number. Write it somewhere you can see without a mirror or something and in as permanent ink as you can, thick and dark (you don't want it to smudge or rub off). This is helpful too in case you're injured enough that you can't call them yourselves, it's helpful that someone else can at least contact someone to help you out.

      Also if you've got questions about something you've seen or heard during a protest, find the NLG rep before, during, or after the action. They'll be there as long as they can be, you'll recognize them from their bright green hat and the fact that they're going to be near the edge of the crowd with a clipboard. Sometimes they dip out if things are getting nasty although I've known extremely based NLG reps caught up in kettles and arrested with everyone else so they can continue to do their work from the lockup. Just incredible people, uncritical support to them and I don't give a shit how lib the organization is, anyone who is throwing themselves into danger like that is my comrade through and through.

      Source: I have a few friends who do this and I tried to do it too but the process is really hard and in my area at least involves a lottery, I never had the opportunity to try. Someday maybe, the NLG is cool as fuck.

  • leftofthat [he/him]
    ·
    10 months ago

    I wouldn't bother. IMHO you're better off just learning a bit about what to do and not to do during an arrest (e.g. when to speak and what to say, if anything). No lawyer is going to be helping you with that in real time when you need that information.

    Once arrested in the US you have the right to be provided an attorney at no cost. If you get one phone call I would not be wasting it on some lawyers guild. Call your family, friends, or whoever you need to get word out to for financial help or coverage while you're in jail.

    Public defenders get shit on for many reasons, and they're overworked and underpaid, but they can still be helpful to you for what you're describing.

    • FumpyAer [any, comrade/them]
      ·
      10 months ago

      When to speak: never.
      What to say if you do speak:
      Am I being detained?
      If you're being detained:
      Are you charging me with a crime?
      If they don't let you leave after that:
      I am exercising my fifth amendment right not to incriminate myself and my 6th amendment right to counsel.

      Any other question, continue to repeat your assertion of your right to counsel.

      Never answer any question, just ask them the above questions. And if they try to search you or your vehicle, say very clearly "I do not consent to any search."

      And I think it's prudent to have a lawyers phone number memorized or written on your skin in permanent marker. Or one of the toll free hotlines listed by other posters here.

      Don't unlock your phone while in police custody. And before the action, disable all biometric phone unlocks in favor of a strong password.

  • sloth [none/use name]
    ·
    10 months ago

    Cant hurt. You can also write useful information on your body somewhere if you have a suspicion you may need it soonish, Memento style.

    Cant help you find a good one though, sorries.

  • Maoo [none/use name]
    ·
    10 months ago

    Locate an org that cares about these things. You'll know because they have their people write bail fund phone numbers on their arms at protests.

    If there is no such org in your area, (1) that's fucked wtf and (2) this might be your time to shine! Getting folks to set up / use a bail fund is a good project to take on. Competent groups tend to bring lawyers as observers as well.

    In terms of general lawyer advice, you won't need a lawyer until you need a lawyer. Follow this simple rule: don't talk to cops. Demand a lawyer. Get out on bail. If you had to use a public defender for that first step, don't sweat it. You can get a different lawyer after you're out on bail. Your hearing will probably be a month or more away and if you didn't tell anyone anything (especially cops) you're in as good of a position you'd have been in even with a personal lawyer there with you from the beginning.

    Also, avoid getting arrested in the first place unless you're very confident and informed about the consequences and what gain you'll be making in exchange. Too many people equate getting arrested at a protest with getting cred. It's not. Cool kids get away with their crimes or reserve their arrests for things that have a direct material impact on their opponent. PMC nerds that want bragging rights get arrested for any reason that sounds cool to them.

    Also follow good protest hygiene:

    • Use the buddy system.

    • Go with an org if you can.

    • Let someone who's not going know that you'll be there and that if you don't check in by X time that means you got arrested.

    • Limit your phone. Do one of these, in order of how secure they are: (1) leave your phone at home, (2) turn your phone off, (3) put your phone in airplane mode.

    • Use public transit and pay with cash.

    • Cover your face. Wear a mask like for COVID.

    • Wear bland clothing that will let you blend in. Blue jeans, dark T-shirt, hoody. Not black bloc, that will increase the chance that you, a random protester, will get arrested.

    • If things start escalating and you feel uncomfortable, leave.