I remember during the 1970's there was at one time a few bomb threats at my small school. All the kids went and stood on the football field. The police came and went. No dogs, NO SWAT, no anthing really.. They were just pranks by other kids. It was funny. Now we have kids who really would blow up the school. Somehow our culture has changed and not for the better. However I bet in the 1950's a kid would not even pull a prank like this. Sad state of culture we have just kinda slid into and live with. Oh Well. Sigh.
Right to remain silent
- Thread starter Shadowpballer
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The worst school killing in our history was in 1927, I think. Bath, Michigan. Although, it wasn't a student that did it.
I was in high school in the late 80s/early 90s in Montgomery County, MD, which is where this stuff today occurred, I think. We had a student and an ex-student trash the school, set some fires, and turn all the burners in the science wing on in the hopes that it would blow up the school. Luckily nothing sparked the gas, but there was still more than a half million dollars of damage done from the other stuff.
We probably didn't have a full day of school for a week after because of all the prank follow-ups. They'd herd us all into the auditorium, then send us home.
It was a circus with cops, reporters, firemen, etc for a long time. But nothing was as bad as the "grief counseling" and the occasional dopey girl on the news crying on the school steps and saying the whole thing made her feel "violated".
I was in high school in the late 80s/early 90s in Montgomery County, MD, which is where this stuff today occurred, I think. We had a student and an ex-student trash the school, set some fires, and turn all the burners in the science wing on in the hopes that it would blow up the school. Luckily nothing sparked the gas, but there was still more than a half million dollars of damage done from the other stuff.
We probably didn't have a full day of school for a week after because of all the prank follow-ups. They'd herd us all into the auditorium, then send us home.
It was a circus with cops, reporters, firemen, etc for a long time. But nothing was as bad as the "grief counseling" and the occasional dopey girl on the news crying on the school steps and saying the whole thing made her feel "violated".
if you refuse to talk at all, you will be targeted for punishment, regardless of whether you did anything or not, if for no other reason than because bureaucrats are often very petty people. Give them a little power and it goes to their head. Defiance is considered a worse sin than murder by such tyrants.
If you can avoid talking to them and that is your wish, avoid them. The whole thing will blow over in a few days when they move on to the next contrived crisis.
If forced to talk, tell the truth, unless you did it. If you did it, get legal advice. They will probably charge whoever did it with something like making terroristic threats or some such nonsense. Not a good thing to have on one's record, even if it is pretty bogus.
Remember, you know nothing unless you have actual first hand information. Speculation, belief, hearsay, and conjecture are not knowledge.
If you can avoid talking to them and that is your wish, avoid them. The whole thing will blow over in a few days when they move on to the next contrived crisis.
If forced to talk, tell the truth, unless you did it. If you did it, get legal advice. They will probably charge whoever did it with something like making terroristic threats or some such nonsense. Not a good thing to have on one's record, even if it is pretty bogus.
Remember, you know nothing unless you have actual first hand information. Speculation, belief, hearsay, and conjecture are not knowledge.
Accurate description of most teachers, principals, and cops. They definitely get into that line of work for the power. Crazy tyrants.
I'd say if you did it, tell the truth and waive counsel.
Man, can you believe these crazy liberals? You threaten to blow up a school and they charge you with making a terroristic threat. What a bunch of uptight pantywaists.
I'd say if you did it, tell the truth and waive counsel.
Man, can you believe these crazy liberals? You threaten to blow up a school and they charge you with making a terroristic threat. What a bunch of uptight pantywaists.
Derby FALs
Member In Memoriam
I don't remember what I was going to say.
Prince Yamato
Member
If you're innocent, you say:
"I don't know who did it, but I'll cooperate in any way I can." and then as someone else mentioned, you shut the hell up. Don't play the anti-establishment asswad. Cops are real, bombs are real, you don't want either to go off on you. (most) police officers are your friends and want to help you. If you're truely innocent, what have you to fear about saying everything you know- which is nothing. When you're getting ready for school that day, say ten times to yourself in the mirror, "I will not be an asswad to the police officers."
"I don't know who did it, but I'll cooperate in any way I can." and then as someone else mentioned, you shut the hell up. Don't play the anti-establishment asswad. Cops are real, bombs are real, you don't want either to go off on you. (most) police officers are your friends and want to help you. If you're truely innocent, what have you to fear about saying everything you know- which is nothing. When you're getting ready for school that day, say ten times to yourself in the mirror, "I will not be an asswad to the police officers."
DerringerUser
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Well, heres my advice.
Cops and DAs are very sly, and they cannot be trusted. Simply say "I did not do it and i have no information on this matter" and wait until your lawyer gets there. The cops can bully stuff out of you that can be held against you in court, same with DAs. You can go ahead and say everything you know, just make sure your lawyer knows what you're doing, so he can advise you. Being interrigated or questioned without a lawyer could end up with you saying things you think were helping the poliece, or that you didnt think it had to do with anything, being used against you in court to try and convict you. Simply say "I didn't write the note and i have no information on the matter" and shut up until your lawyer arrives, then spill your guts out. But until then, dont let Cops or DAs bully anything out of you.
At least thats what its like here in Southern CA. Most cops are jerks down here (no offense to any So Cal LEOs, just every single cop i have met has been extremely rude and threataning).
Cops and DAs are very sly, and they cannot be trusted. Simply say "I did not do it and i have no information on this matter" and wait until your lawyer gets there. The cops can bully stuff out of you that can be held against you in court, same with DAs. You can go ahead and say everything you know, just make sure your lawyer knows what you're doing, so he can advise you. Being interrigated or questioned without a lawyer could end up with you saying things you think were helping the poliece, or that you didnt think it had to do with anything, being used against you in court to try and convict you. Simply say "I didn't write the note and i have no information on the matter" and shut up until your lawyer arrives, then spill your guts out. But until then, dont let Cops or DAs bully anything out of you.
At least thats what its like here in Southern CA. Most cops are jerks down here (no offense to any So Cal LEOs, just every single cop i have met has been extremely rude and threataning).
Autolycus
Member
How did it go? I am assuming you followed the majority of everyones advice.
Think of it like this... if there was a bomb you might have saved someones life by allowing the LEOs to search for the real bomber instead of focusing on you.
Think of it like this... if there was a bomb you might have saved someones life by allowing the LEOs to search for the real bomber instead of focusing on you.
The "Right to remain silent" means you don't have to speak if it may incriminate you.
It does NOT mean you have the right to refuse to answer a queston from law enforcement that does NOT tend to incriminate you.
If their on a witch-hunt, and they've picked you as the witch, get a lawyer. He'll help you prepare a statement. If their just asking pretty much EVERYBODY who could have left the note, and haven't singled you out, just answer the question and say you know nothing about it.
It does NOT mean you have the right to refuse to answer a queston from law enforcement that does NOT tend to incriminate you.
If their on a witch-hunt, and they've picked you as the witch, get a lawyer. He'll help you prepare a statement. If their just asking pretty much EVERYBODY who could have left the note, and haven't singled you out, just answer the question and say you know nothing about it.
In cases where cops are trying to pin something on someone, they are no one's friend. They care only about finding someone to blame for the act. They do generally try to find the guy that actually did it, but if you piss them off, they may just decide you did it. and it will stick. So don't piss them off.
That are not acting in your best interests at all. It is up to you to act in your own best interests.
If you know nothing about it, just say so and move on.
If you actually know something about it, either rat out the guy or get legal counsel for advice first.
dragongoddess
member
if you are a minor the first thing out of your mouth I would think is you asking for your parents and not speaking further till they are present.
Thefabulousfink
Member
I don't want to turn this into a cop-bashing thread. I have had encounters with several cops and all of them have been polite and professional. Of couse, none of them thought that I was a suspect. If a cop suspects that you did something, they are going to try their hardest to get you to give something away. That is their job and can be quite handy when dealing with criminal, however, it can be quite uncomfortable if you are innocent and the cop doesn't believe you.
Now if one of your school administrators tells the cop "This kid is trouble, He's the type who would do this, etc" then the cop is allready suspicious. When they question you, stay calm and tell them where you were and what you know. If they don't believe you and try to lean on you/threaten you ask to call your parents and then stop talking.
By yourself you are in a weak position, get frustrated, lash out, act smart, and they can make things a lot worse for you. If they don't believe that you weren't involved get your parents or a lawyer there before you say anything else. You are less likely to be bullied if you have an adult on your side.
Not all cops and school admins are out to get non-conformist kids, but every once in a while you run into the type who are either out to get you, over zealous, or just plain ignorant. As a minor in high school you are in a losing position and you have to choose your battles carfully. There is no point in standing up to "the Man" in this situation where you have nothing to gain and lots to lose.
I hope things turn out allright for you,
TheFabulousFink
Now if one of your school administrators tells the cop "This kid is trouble, He's the type who would do this, etc" then the cop is allready suspicious. When they question you, stay calm and tell them where you were and what you know. If they don't believe you and try to lean on you/threaten you ask to call your parents and then stop talking.
By yourself you are in a weak position, get frustrated, lash out, act smart, and they can make things a lot worse for you. If they don't believe that you weren't involved get your parents or a lawyer there before you say anything else. You are less likely to be bullied if you have an adult on your side.
Not all cops and school admins are out to get non-conformist kids, but every once in a while you run into the type who are either out to get you, over zealous, or just plain ignorant. As a minor in high school you are in a losing position and you have to choose your battles carfully. There is no point in standing up to "the Man" in this situation where you have nothing to gain and lots to lose.
I hope things turn out allright for you,
TheFabulousFink
romma
Member
That's why on every cop show, including the show "Cops", they always tell you they will go easier on you if you cooperate. They don't usually read you your rights till after they arrest you first now anyhow. Law enforcement seems to have a much wider latitude now, than every before. (I am not a cop basher, just expressing my opinion).... Brace for threadlock!
Smurfslayer
Member
Get a recorder
Get a recorder and recording media. If/when you're questioned, turn it on and announce that you are recording the conversation to avoid any misunderstandings. If you had nothing to do with it, no harm will befall you for so stating. If you can't get a recorder, get your parents to get one for you. If that's not going to fly, have a guidance counselor, teacher or similar that you know well enough to be on good terms with accompany you as "an impartial witness" - your parents don't count as "impartial". You don't want any misunderstanding as a result of some paper pusher writing something down wrong in their notes.
Do you know, or suspect you know who may have done this? If I were a betting man, my money would be that you do at least think you know or have suspicions. You may not want to get involved for a number of reasons, but I would suggest you think of the bigger picture.
If you had knowledge that a friend of yours with a penchant for explosives had killed a pet of someone else, would you report it to the police?
Most serial killers get their start by torturing, mutilating and killing animals.
Somebody leaving a b*mb threat may just be looking for attention, but they might not be. And if they're not lives could be at stake.
Get a recorder and recording media. If/when you're questioned, turn it on and announce that you are recording the conversation to avoid any misunderstandings. If you had nothing to do with it, no harm will befall you for so stating. If you can't get a recorder, get your parents to get one for you. If that's not going to fly, have a guidance counselor, teacher or similar that you know well enough to be on good terms with accompany you as "an impartial witness" - your parents don't count as "impartial". You don't want any misunderstanding as a result of some paper pusher writing something down wrong in their notes.
Do you know, or suspect you know who may have done this? If I were a betting man, my money would be that you do at least think you know or have suspicions. You may not want to get involved for a number of reasons, but I would suggest you think of the bigger picture.
If you had knowledge that a friend of yours with a penchant for explosives had killed a pet of someone else, would you report it to the police?
Most serial killers get their start by torturing, mutilating and killing animals.
Somebody leaving a b*mb threat may just be looking for attention, but they might not be. And if they're not lives could be at stake.
LoneStranger
Member
To those who suggest complete cooperation, I remember a fellow by the name of "Scooter Libby" who is presently going to court for lying to investigators. He makes the claim that he misremembered some piece of information and that he was trying to cooperate.
If the investigators, in this case, where it has been shown that apparently they were running up a false trail, will prosecute what might be a bad memory then I would have to suggest that a person being questioned should claim their rights under the Fifth Amendment account you can be prosecuted for a bad memory.
That being said, once you have legal counsel, not parents, you should answer all questions through said legal counsel. This would make attacks on you due to bad memory less likely.
Finally, When a person has an acquaintance who talks or otherwise indicates that they might be a threat to others it could be argued that you, as an individual, should first make them aware that you do not wish to know and if they persist you will notify appropriate authorities. You are not a Snitch because this type of behaviour can spillover on you and you are only protecting yourself.
If the investigators, in this case, where it has been shown that apparently they were running up a false trail, will prosecute what might be a bad memory then I would have to suggest that a person being questioned should claim their rights under the Fifth Amendment account you can be prosecuted for a bad memory.
That being said, once you have legal counsel, not parents, you should answer all questions through said legal counsel. This would make attacks on you due to bad memory less likely.
Finally, When a person has an acquaintance who talks or otherwise indicates that they might be a threat to others it could be argued that you, as an individual, should first make them aware that you do not wish to know and if they persist you will notify appropriate authorities. You are not a Snitch because this type of behaviour can spillover on you and you are only protecting yourself.
Derby FALs
Member In Memoriam
Usually that means they lack RS or PC to arrest you until you self incriminate.
Martha Stewart went prison for lying to investigators about a crime she was never convicted of, insider trading.
bass806
Member
How about talking to your parents for some advice. Dude, your in high school and not on America's Most wanted. Lighten up.
romma
Member
Law enforcement officials may or may not charge you for a crime dependending on what you say at you "interview" Med... That's how it is today.
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