Sometimes you are walking down the street minding your own business when a Police Officer approaches you and starts asking you questions like:
"Where are you going?"
"Where are you coming from?"
"Do you have Identification?"
"Can I look in your backpack?"
"What is that bulge in your pocket?"
"I am going to search you."
Normally you are startled and upset at the questions but you should respond quickly and politely
with what we like to call "The Clients' Creed".
"Officer, if I am under arrest or being detained, please tell me so and why.
If I am not under arrest and not being detained please tell me that I am free to go.
If I am not free to go, please tell me why.
I wish to exercise all my legal rights including my right to remain silent and my right to speak
to a lawyer in private before I say anything to you.
I do NOT consent to being searched.
I wish to be released without delay.
Please do not ask me any questions because I will not willingly talk to you until I speak to my lawyer.
Please respect my right to remain silent and all my other rights pursuant to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms."