Defense Attorney and Libertarian Marc Victor spoke at a Young Americans for Liberty event Tuesday about how to handle traffic stops in what he called a “police state.” A small crowd of libertarians gathered in the Business Administration building on ASU’s Tempe campus to get advice on how to handle encounters with law enforcement in a country that is becoming ever-more aware of police brutality.
Victor specifically focused on being pulled over and the best ways to avoid not only legal ramifications, but dangerous situations with police.
Victor opened by expressing his own views on the legal system.
“We should keep the moral world in the moral world," he said. "If people had a better understanding of the difference between the moral world and the legal world, the world would be a much better place."
Victor went on to say that in his own opinion, any action taken by an individual that does not endanger others should be that individual’s right.
Defense Attorney Marc Victor at @YALiberty "Know Your Rights" event @statepress pic.twitter.com/gJ7cFfQpKD
— Isabella Castillo (@isabella_m_cast) August 26, 2015
He addressed the misconceptions people have about the government's power to affect change in society, saying that the government is only trying to catch up with the popular notions of people.
“People who think the government make great change in society really don’t understand how things happen," he said. "Change happens when people in their hearts and minds modify what they believe about things.”
As Victor began dialing in on the topic of handling police encounters, he prefaced the discussion by saying he does not “hate cops,” but rather has an issue with police officers who abuse their power or “follow the law,” meaning cops who are over meticulous about minor crimes such as failing to follow traffic laws or possessing marijuana. He later gave away rolling papers and bottle openers branded with his name.
Victor’s first recommendation on how to handle these encounters was to avoid them altogether by being attentive to small things, like ensuring all lights are working properly, in order to avoid attracting police attention. Victor advised giving police as little information as possible and respectfully denying to answers all questions.
Victor gave out printed statements to read when being pulled over by police so that an exact recount of what was said can be referenced in case legal action is taken.
Lastly, Victor covered a list of basic steps to take when being pulled-over, such as keeping one’s hands on the wheel, staying inside the vehicle unless asked to leave, following direction and being respectful.
The discussion spawned a number of questions from the eager listeners ranging from what to do when police arrive at a fraternity party to property rights to how to keep an officer from searching a drug-ridden car.
Business junior and Young Americans for Liberty member Kevin Calavrese said he had heard Victor speak before.
"He always does a good job of delivering a well-rounded speech about liberty," he said.
Justice studies junior and Students for Liberty member Nikki Burgess said she liked how Victor explained how citizens can defend their civil liberties.
“With ASU, I know there’s a lot of partying and underage drinking and stuff like that," she said.
With 63 percent of libertarians being younger than 50, according to an article by the Washington Post, it is no surprise events like these are able to generate interest on a college campus.
“I just really like the idea of choice,” Burgess said. “As long as you’re not harming anyone else, you should be able to choose what you want to do and what you want to be able to put in your body, etc.”
Related Links:
We the Police: The relationship between Tempe and its protectors
ASU students talk drug policy at the Capitol
Reach the reporter at icastil3@asu.edu or follow @isabella_m_cast on twitter
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