The Law and the Role of Police

Laws and police make our communities safe. Police are strict and follow the law as it is written. Never bribe a police officer. It is your responsibility to understand and follow the laws. Always talk to police officers with respect.

1) Calling 911

911 responds fast to emergency calls. Dial 911 to: - Report a fire. - Report a crime while it is happening. - Report a car accident. - Get an ambulance for an emergency. Be prepared to give your address and information about the emergency. If you do not speak English, you can ask for an interpreter. Do not call 911 for something that is not an emergency.

(1) Calling 911

2) Alcohol & Drugs

Drinking alcohol is only legal for adults over 21 years old. You will be asked for proof of your age when buying alcohol or entering bars. There are penalties for providing alcohol to people under the age of 21. It is usually illegal to drink alcohol on the street or outdoors. You can get arrested or deported for selling or having illegal drugs. Using drugs around children can be considered child abuse. If you or someone you know has a problem with drugs or alcohol, you can contact rehabilitation programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

3) Drinking and Driving

Driving after drinking alcohol can cause serious accidents and problems. Driving after having one or two drinks can get you arrested. Legal drinking limits for driving are different in different states.

(3) Drinking and Driving

4) Know Your Rights

Laws and police make our communities safe. You have rights when talking with police. If a police or immigration officer asks you questions, you have the right to remain silent and not answer the questions. You can request to speak with an attorney before answering questions or signing documents. If you do not have an attorney, the government provides an attorney for you. You only have to let law enforcement officers into your house if they have a search warrant.

5) Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment usually involves repeated behavior that is inappropriate and makes a person uncomfortable. Examples can include requests for a date, unwelcome behavior that is physical (a shoulder or back rub), or comments about a person’s appearance.

6) Sexual Assault

Forcing any person to perform any sexual act is a federal crime. This includes people who had sex before. If he or she says “no” and the act continues, it is sexual assault. It is illegal for adults to influence anyone under a certain age to do sexual acts. This minimum age is usually 18.

7) Domestic Violence

Domestic violence and emotional abuse are behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other person. Examples of abuse include: - Name-calling or insults. - Preventing a partner from contacting family or friends. - Preventing a partner from getting or keeping a job. - Keeping money from him or her. - Actual or threatened physical harm. Violence is criminal and includes: - Physical assault - hitting, pushing, etc. - Sexual abuse - unwanted or forced sexual activity. - Stalking - repeated unwanted attention. If you are a victim, call 911.

8) Stealing and Trespassing

Do not leave a store with any items that you did not buy. Many stores have security, and you can get arrested if you steal anything. This includes small and cheap items. You can also get arrested if you steal anything from other people. You can get arrested for trespassing, or being on the private property of a person without their permission.

(5) Sexual Harassment

9) Discrimination

It is illegal to discriminate according to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or age. This applies to housing applications and to places of employment.

10) Getting Legal Help

To find an attorney who is reliable, talk to friends or look for a legal center. Some places provide low-cost or free assistance. Attorneys charge in different ways such as: - Per hour, where you pay for the number of hours they work on your case. - A flat rate that you agree on at the beginning, where it does not matter how many hours the attorney works. - Contingency, where the attorneys collect a certain amount of money if they win the case. Keep your attorney’s phone number with you in case of emergencies.

11) Becoming a U.S. Citizen

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has information about how to become a U.S. citizen. It has resources for immigrants and organizations, including a welcome guide, learning materials and forms.