Know Your Rights: Encountering Law Enforcement and Military Troops in Oregon

Law enforcement encounters can be stressful and scary. During them, you should prioritize staying safe. Knowing your rights is important too. No matter what agency you’re dealing with — whether federal or local, whether law enforcement or the military — the Constitution constrains how government employees can treat you.

Learning about your rights can help you understand what’s happening and allow you to take mental notes that you can use to help a lawyer challenge potential violations later on. The following information is designed to provide education on your rights. It serves civic, advocacy, and educational purposes and is not intended as, nor should be taken as, legal advice. If you need legal advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified attorney.

Click here for a list of protest resources, including attorneys.

Important note: The Bill of Rights, including the First Amendment, constrains the government, not private actors like companies or employers, from interfering with the basic freedoms that allow us to participate in our democracy.