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>> A related question I always had is: How often is law enforcement confronted with people that don't talk to them on general principle? Does that really make y

>> A related question I always had is: How often is law enforcement confronted with people that don't talk to them on general principle? Does that really make you suspicious or is it quite common? I think if you answered politely and explained why you're unwilling to talk to them about their issue it wouldn't be as easy to misconstrue as suspicious. Something like "I'm sure that you have respectable intent but unfortunately the US government has demonstrated in the recent past that they will prosecute people for things they say when they speak to the authorities. If you have a business card, I would be happy to email you links to several articles detailing these prosecutions further, I hope you understand this is nothing personal." If you just say "no" and abruptly close the door, sure that might look a little bit suspicious. Also, educating them about the issues could help (send them links to media sites, never your own content). Edit: Also, "No, you can't use my bathroom." ;)

graeme 13y ago
That comment could read as suspicious to many people who don't distrust the government. I would check with your lawyer for appropriate boilerplate. IANAL, but I'm guessing that at the business level FBI agents are used to not being able to talk without lawyers.
- deleted 13y ago
  [deleted]
protomyth 13y ago
> I think if you answered politely and explained why you're unwilling to talk to them about their issue it wouldn't be as easy to misconstrue as suspicious. If they are talking to you given the time management the job requires, you are already suspicious. If there is one thing I learned from growing up on a reservation is that the only response to the FBI is "I will not talk unless my lawyer is present and s/he advises me to talk". // if a Federal Marshall wants to talk, you are screwed
- kefka 13y ago
  What makes a federal marshal "screw-worthy"? Any law enforcement you didn't call seems to all be pretty bad.
  - protomyth 13y ago
    Their talking points are: are you X? if yes, you are under arrest else go to next person. They have a mission not an investigation.
    - kefka 13y ago
      I guess I see that more as a feature of a federal marshal. The others will chum up with you and do all sorts of tricks to 'make you talk'. If they do as you say, there's no BS like that. You're either under arrest or you aren't. And, I respect that.
- drivingmenuts 13y ago
  > if a Federal Marshall wants to talk, you are screwed What's the difference here? Marshalls aren't required to allow you to get a lawyer? They skip straight to waterboarding? Talk your ears literally off?
  - protomyth 13y ago
    They are generally there on someone's orders (e.g. a Federal Judge) and will be arresting someone. It might be a different experience for others, but that's pretty much all I've ever seen them do.
    - meowface 13y ago
      Then you let them cuff you and drive you away, and refuse to answer any questions without a lawyer. No matter what they do, they can't make you talk.
- dragonwriter 13y ago

graeme 13y ago

That comment could read as suspicious to many people who don't distrust the government. I would check with your lawyer for appropriate boilerplate. IANAL, but I'm guessing that at the business level FBI agents are used to not being able to talk without lawyers.

deleted 13y ago
[deleted]

protomyth 13y ago

> I think if you answered politely and explained why you're unwilling to talk to them about their issue it wouldn't be as easy to misconstrue as suspicious. If they are talking to you given the time management the job requires, you are already suspicious. If there is one thing I learned from growing up on a reservation is that the only response to the FBI is "I will not talk unless my lawyer is present and s/he advises me to talk". // if a Federal Marshall wants to talk, you are screwed

kefka 13y ago
What makes a federal marshal "screw-worthy"? Any law enforcement you didn't call seems to all be pretty bad.
- protomyth 13y ago
  Their talking points are: are you X? if yes, you are under arrest else go to next person. They have a mission not an investigation.
  - kefka 13y ago
    I guess I see that more as a feature of a federal marshal. The others will chum up with you and do all sorts of tricks to 'make you talk'. If they do as you say, there's no BS like that. You're either under arrest or you aren't. And, I respect that.
drivingmenuts 13y ago
> if a Federal Marshall wants to talk, you are screwed What's the difference here? Marshalls aren't required to allow you to get a lawyer? They skip straight to waterboarding? Talk your ears literally off?
- protomyth 13y ago
  They are generally there on someone's orders (e.g. a Federal Judge) and will be arresting someone. It might be a different experience for others, but that's pretty much all I've ever seen them do.
  - meowface 13y ago
    Then you let them cuff you and drive you away, and refuse to answer any questions without a lawyer. No matter what they do, they can't make you talk.
dragonwriter 13y ago