Jim Syler's Reviews > You Have the Right to Remain Innocent

This is an utterly crucial book that every American over age 12 should read—and I say that without exaggeration.

However, it is not perfect. In his famous YouTube video, and throughout this book, he repeats the mantra: 'Never talk to police. No, really, never. No, actually, I'm not kidding, under no circumstances should you talk to the police. Did I stutter?' And then, in a footnote at the end of the book, he clarifies: 'Yes, of course there are several occasions in which you must and should talk to police. Obviously I'm not talking about [I]those[/I] times.' (These are paraphrases, not actual quotes.)

So I really would rather he be much more clear about exactly when it is and is not okay to talk to police. For instance (in the footnote), he mentions that you should talk the police (as briefly as possible) if they question you about a crime you may have witnessed. Yet I am given to understand that that is a common tactic police use to get suspects to give them information. For instance, they may come to your door and ask about a (possibly fictitious) crime in your neighborhood. 'Where were you on such-and-such a date? Did you see anything?' You, naturally, answer honestly—and now you've given them information on your whereabouts to be used against you.

Also, this book would be an excellent place to reiterate the advice in the "Flex Your Rights" video—how to avoid searches, when to ask if you're free to go, etc.

The first chapter, with its extensive-but-nowhere-near-exhaustive listing of poor souls, many of them innocent, who spent years in prison because they weren't wise enough to keep their mouths shut, is deeply compelling. It will permanently spoil any notion that cops are good guys who are trying to help you. It should be required reading for everyone.

Overall, an excellent book, but a little too succinct to be truly useful.