If an officer orders you to stop recording or orders you to hand over your phone, you should politely but firmly tell the officer that you do not consent to doing so, and remind the officer that taking photographs or video is your right under the First Amendment.
Under Connecticut state law, all police agencies must have publicly available forms for people to fill out complaints.Being stopped by police is a stressful experience that can go bad quickly. If you have been pulled over by police, you have the right to complete and return that card to the agency listed, regardless of whether you have received a traffic ticket.• Say you wish to remain silent and ask for a lawyer immediately. The owner of a private passenger motor vehicle or vehicle with a combination or commercial registration that is registered or required to be registered in Connecticut is prohibited from operating or permitting the operation of the vehicle without maintaining the insurance required by law. Refusing consent may not stop the officer from carrying out the search against your will, but can help preserve your rights in any later legal proceeding.• If you are arrested by police, you have the right to a government-appointed lawyer if you can't afford one.• You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, whether you are a U.S. citizen, or how you entered the country. This advice, however, reflects reality: we cannot assume police employees will make decisions that protect people's safety.
Be aware that some officers may arrest you for refusing to comply even though their orders are illegal. If a person gets caught with an expired registration for their vehicle, the penalty consists of a fine and the potential suspension of their license. As long as you do not interfere with what the officers are doing and do not stand close enough to obstruct their movements, you have the right to observe and record events that are plainly visible in public spaces.• Do not try to hide the fact that you are recording. Agency: Department of Motor Vehicles; Choosing a Special Plate Connecticut offers a variety of special license plates for its residents. If you experience issues filing a complaint, contact the ACLU of Connecticut.5. ***EXTENSION OFFERED: DMV is offering extensions to Connecticut residents with expiring vehicle registrations and other credentials.
Be aware that some officers may arrest you for refusing to comply even though their orders are illegal.
Credentials that expire between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020 are automatically extended by 180-days. What you can do if you think you’re witnessing police abuse or brutality• Stand at a safe distance and, if possible, use your phone to record video of what is happening. Additionally, any effort to reduce risk is not a guarantee of safety.
Driving Without Registration vs. Driving Without Proof of Registration In every state, traffic laws make it unlawful to operate a motor vehicle when: The vehicle has never been registered with the state department of motor vehicles (or motor vehicles bureau) in the state where it is primarily used, or If you experience issues filing a complaint, contact the ACLU of Connecticut.5.