Your Rights and the Police, an ACLU Pamphlet

Providence, RI: American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Rhode Island, 1965. Minor crease marks.. A 'Q & A' pamphlet provided by the Rhode Island American Civil Liberties Union Foundation (ACLU) on what to do when you are stopped by the police. The pamphlet has been broken up into three sections: 'If You Are Stopped by the Police', 'Your Rights' After an Arrest', and 'Your Rights in Front of a Judge'. Each question and answer is stated in simple and direct terms. Some of the questions asked are: 'What should I do if the police harass me?', 'When can the police search my home?', 'What rights do I have after an arrest?', 'Is there anything I should sign at the station [after an arrest]? (on the inventory list of your belonging at the time of your arrest), and 'What will happen when I appear before the judge?'. The pamphlet also emphatically states at the beginning that "these [answers] are just general guidelines, and that the law in this area is complex and constantly being modified." The last section of the pamphlet has what appears to be a cut out card on can put in their wallet that provides a couple of quick facts and advise about what to do if you are arrested. While the ACLU was founded in the 1920s, the Rhode Island branch was founded in 1959. It is still in existence today. 8 page pamphlet. Measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2" (folded), 13 3/4" x 8 1/2" (unfolded).