1.
Tell the FBI agents: "I don't want to speak with you without my lawyer. Please give me your business card (or if on the phone, "your full name, job title, and phone number") and my lawyer will contact you."
2. T
ake the agents' business cards (or
if on the phone, take their full name, job title, and phone number), and just end the conversation by saying, "Thank you. My lawyer will contact you. Good bye." (do not let them enter your home or business unless they have a warrant signed by a judge.)
3.
Call CAIR-WA at 206.367.4081
(or at 425.246.4225 outside of business hours) and
ask t
o speak with someone in our Civil Rights Department. We will then connect you with one of our expert lawyers free of charge so the lawyer can contact the FBI agent on your behalf to make sure your rights are protected and so you don't have to answer inappropriate questions. All of these services, including the lawyer's work, are provided free of charge to you.
Do not make any promises. According to the law, law enforcement agents have the right to lie to you but it is a crime for you as a civilian to lie to law enforcement. The agents might lie to you and tell you, "You do not need a lawyer," or "are you trying to hide something?" or "having a lawyer will make things worse." These are all scare tactics. Do not let the agent pressure you into speaking with him/her without a lawyer. Simply repeat, if needed, "I do not want to speak with you without my lawyer. My lawyer will contact you. Goodbye."
As always, if you have any concerns or questions, please call us at 206.367.4081 to speak with our Civil Rights Department. Remember, all of CAIR-WA's civil rights services are confidential and provided free of charge.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations of Washington State (CAIR-WA), is a local chapter of CAIR, the nation's largest Muslim civil rights organization. CAIR's mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
