@robertsrandoms
robert.taylor34@gmail.com

The idea behind Robert's Random is for me to write about whatever I'm thinking about whenever I'm thinking it. I try to write 3-5 times a week, but sometimes real work gets in the way of that. Sometimes I'll share whatever random thought I might have that day but most of the time, I like to write about things going on in the news. I'm a total news junkie, I spend a lot of time online at various news sites. If I find a story where someone does something totally stupid or I wonder "what were they thinking?" I don't mind pointing it out incase others missed it or taking my best guess at what they were thinking. I like to laugh, I like to make others laugh. There's so much serious and wrong stuff going on in the news that when I find an unusual or light story, I like to use it. And while real life news events might be the focus of many of my blogs, I'm just trying to entertain you, make you laugh and maybe even think about something you didn't know before reading. I'm not trying to break any serious news or deliver any hard-hitting coverage. You'll have to read a paper or watch one of the network shows for that.

Interaction with police: Know Your Rights

Posted Sunday, June 22, 2014, at 2:21 PM

I've recently put together a brochure for members of the public on how to handle interactions with the police to maximize protections of their constitutional rights.

I am willing to mail the brochures to anyone who requests one using the email address provided.

The brochures are available at no cost to the public. The brochures are not intended to be promotional material or legal advice, but education material on an area of the law that is confusing to most citizens. This confusion is further compound by law enforcement's legally protected right to lie directly to the very citizens that not only pay them, but they have sworn to protect.

I don't think it's fair to blame police for lying to citizens, as they have a challenging job and often deal will dishonest people in the course of that job, but I do think it's fair to blame citizens for not being fully educated on their rights when it comes to dealing with the police. Far too often, people realize they have surrendered their precious constitutional rights in situations they didn't have to long after it's too late to do anything about it.

I am making this brochure available at no cost to the citizens of Mountain Home because I believe the law should be accessible to people. I also took a whole lot of classes at the University of Idaho on law-related matters and learned a great deal there I would like to share at no costs to anyone else.

Comments

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Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

They system needs to be changed so that the police are not allowed to lie or to randomly stop vehicles in order to try to search them.

I don't care if they have a hard job. They need to set the example. Evidence is a lot easier to collect these days through cameras, DNA, etc. and they have no excuse to use lying as one of their tools.

-- Posted by Sam_1776 on Mon, Jun 23, 2014, at 12:19 PM
They lie all the time......they think they cant make a mistake and when they do they attempt to make you guilty to cover it.I have no respect for them they act like some jack booted group that has rights we don't.They speed without there lights on,they make erroneous traffic stopes,they talk to people like they are a piece of you know whatTHEY GO SHOPPING AND TAKE CARE OF PERSONALL STUFF ON MY DIME.When they get jacked for it they attempt to intimidate you by following you,they use there badges to intimidate young females.The thing that really gets me is when they get caught it doesn't hit the papers but if you get caught it's front page news even though you havnt been tried or convicted.The cases of misjudgement make them look stupid and override everything they attempt to do good.Those of them that have common sense and use it you never hear about and that is a shame but the others I could do without.Especially here in mtn home.

-- Posted by lamont on Mon, Jun 23, 2014, at 1:13 PM
I don't see the email address. Am I blind?

-- Posted by rlpj on Tue, Jun 24, 2014, at 10:15 AM

Brenda Fincher, Publisher, MHNews
When you click on Robert under our Bloggers you can see his email address to the right of his individual blog choices.
I have so many comments for this. But I guess I'll keep them to myself. I'm not going to change the very opinionated minds here.

But I will say this "shopping on your dime?"... You do realize that law enforcement is working 24/7. When they are not on shift, they are still expected to serve and protect. And they can and will be called in at all hours.

And sure, there are bad apples in everything. Look at the schools, daycares, city offices, military, YOUR work environment. Just look around a little bit. There are always going to be those that bring the rest down.

But to post your negative thoughts on-line and generalize everyone all together. Well, that makes you no better.

-- Posted by ktlm on Tue, Jun 24, 2014, at 3:19 PM
In accordance with Mountain Home News policy, I can neither confirm not deny that I am an attorney.

-- Posted by RTaylor on Tue, Jun 24, 2014, at 6:56 PM
As a friend of Robert's, I can confirm that he is an attorney.

-- Posted by Geoff Schroeder on Tue, Jun 24, 2014, at 7:06 PM
Yes, he has told us many times that he is an attorney.

-- Posted by Sam_1776 on Tue, Jun 24, 2014, at 7:19 PM
That's true, I do. I don't always have time between balancing three jobs, including running a business that I may or may not own, to do a better job at proof reading a blog I don't get paid to write that I only keep as a hobby. But despite only writing it for half of last year, it still managed to be the most read part of this website, so I have that going for me.

But you're right, I do need a proof reader. I had an intern who helped with proof reading earlier this year but she found a position with a company that actually pays her, so she no longer double checks my work for me. It was a shame, I liked working with her and nothing beats free. Now when I have free time I have to decide between editing a blog post or walking my dog and well, my dog often wins out.

Perhaps if Mountain Home had a dog park, I could do all of my editing there while my dog played with the other dogs in a safe, enclosed area. That would be the best.

But on a serious note, thank you all for reading.

Many people have emailed me asking for a PDF file, I am not sending the brochure out in digital format because I don't want someone else to copy and paste my work as their own. I spent a lot of time and some money developing this product and I'd like to remain in control of my work, which is easier to do if I don't email it out to everyone that asks. I made it with the intent of distributing it for free because I believe the law should be accessible. This is why I don't mind mailing it out and shouldering the cost of postage. I'm not looking to get anything in return, I'm just trying to make the info available to as many people as possible.

-- Posted by RTaylor on Tue, Jun 24, 2014, at 7:41 PM
WOW, that was VERY entertaining!

-- Posted by mynextchapter on Wed, Jun 25, 2014, at 4:51 PM
I understand proof reading is important. But I'm at a point now where I prioritize things and focus on the things that matter and worry about the less that do not. But to be honest, I've never been really good about proof reading my own work.

I wrote this post over the weekend. I spent last week in McCall volunteering as a chaperone at a youth summer camp and traveled to DC Monday morning for a business trip. Over the weekend I also moved, went shopping for things for my new place and spent time with a girl I've been dating the past few weeks. Ask me which one of those things I'd rather have spent less time doing so I could have spent more time working on a blog that I don't get paid to write basically giving away free information to the public.

And since you asked, words are no longer my living. They are mealy a hobby. I have fulltime employment that has nothing to do with practicing law or writing that consumes the majority of my time, with my practice, friends, family and dog getting what's left of my time. I also keep a second blog on a different website. As you can imagine, this keeps me pretty busy. As a result, I sometimes miss a few typos here and there. In the grand scheme of things, things are probably going to work out just fine.

-- Posted by RTaylor on Wed, Jun 25, 2014, at 8:35 PM
SORRY FELLAS I gave the good guys there just due.Those that have common sense use it but you don't hear about them.IF YOU DONT LIVE HERE YOU DONT KNOW WHAT HAPPENS HERE.I have no axe for the police,I WANT THEM TO ACT WITHIN THE LAW NOT AS THEY MAKE IT UP.When I was on active duty I could not shop on duty, I see no difference and I was on duty 24/7.They have days off and they can do what we did. Get up early or stay up a little longer if needed and by the way I didn't get paid a lot either.The good ones get it right the others need to get another job.

-- Posted by lamont on Wed, Jun 25, 2014, at 10:40 PM
Robert, my objection to your blog is two things.

1. You think that it is okay for the police to lie

2. You are bragging that you are the most read when maybe that is more of the case where you annoy people into responding and therefore shouldn't be bragging about it. I remember hearing about your socks purchases, and well ....

As you say your blogs: "They are mealy a hobby" so I guess you can say anything however maybe you should take the other person's advice and get someone to proofread what you write.

-- Posted by Sam_1776 on Wed, Jun 25, 2014, at 10:57 PM
Wow! You are showing your true colors Idaho...OMG, what's next... a Police state in Idaho...I blame Obama...and the Democrats, and those from California, and people with strange last names...

Get a grip Idaho...stop watching FOX News and Carl Rove...the sky is not falling...

-- Posted by DUMBFOUNDED IN IDAHO on Thu, Jun 26, 2014, at 8:54 AM
Random stranger, I don't think it's cool to judge people you do not know, especially from the protection of a screen name. I'm hanging out in my office this morning sending everyone who emailed me asking for a copy a brochure. Why don't you stop on by for a bit and get to know me before you continue to attack my character?

-- Posted by RTaylor on Sun, Jun 29, 2014, at 9:57 AM
The colour of my skin has nothing to do with my comment when it does I will let you know.

I spoke of actual events not what I think goes on.They need to remember they are not the be all.Act human and use the brain that you have ,consider other human feelings beside the need to express your so called authority.One of there own got there butt in trouble again same officer same kind of event.A state trooper, it's in the sunday paper. A prime example of someone who thinks they are the be all.She still has a weapon and a badge. She will shot someone next and they wont be able to sue.No she probally is not representative of all but she makes them all look bad,but worst she creates ill will and mistrust with the public.Why is that not understood...........???????

-- Posted by lamont on Mon, Jun 30, 2014, at 5:41 PM
No problem RS,I am a pretty feisty guy youll know when.........smile.

I bet they got belligerent when you said no.They always seem to think all people are bad they need to think the opposite.Funny we all get profiled one way or the other.I am glad they didn't find a reason to lock you up so they could search.

Well spent the day practicing seemed like the thing to do 110 on my concrete patio,aint no fun.Well got to run ......later.

-- Posted by lamont on Wed, Jul 2, 2014, at 10:45 PM
Latest video of calif.hwy patrolman STRADDLING A WOMAN ON THE GROUND PUNCHING HER LIKE YOU WOULD SOMEONE YOU WERE FIGHTING OR AT LEAST RESISTING AND HE IS MAKING NO EFFORT TO CUFF THIS WOMAN.........WHY?????? the why should be interesting to say the least.........we shall see !!!!!!!!!!!

-- Posted by lamont on Sat, Jul 5, 2014, at 11:38 PM
RS............. I DIDNT SEE THAT ONE.....MY BAD........WHAT NEWSPAPER OR TV PROGRAM??????he/She had camera around there neck,,,,,,,so how are they going to say they don't know what happened??? oh I know he forgot to turn on the camera.....Ill bet on it.!!!!!!.And they want the publics trust .........hello !!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Posted by lamont on Tue, Jul 8, 2014, at 8:49 PM
Robert have you sent out the brochures. If you have I haven't received mine.

I have a question for you can cops search your vehicle when your stopped for a traffic violation?

Someone just posted on FB they seen a hippie bus pulled over at Hilers, a drug dog searched the bus and no one was arrested. The cops took a picture of the bus and then every one went on their way.

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Thu, Jul 10, 2014, at 1:33 PM

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