Talking to the police

Police officer: What are you doing here boys?

Abdi: Nothing.

Police officer: Were you here yesterday?

Abdi: No. Why do you want to know?

Police officer: Someone who looks like you has committed a crime in this area.

Abdi: I was at work all day yesterday.

Police officer: What is your name and address?

Abdi: Why do you want it?

Police officer: You have to give me your name and address.

Abdi: Alright, my name is Snoop Dogg.

Police officer: Do you have any ID on you?

Abdi: No!

Police officer: Listen mate, I don’t believe your name is Snoop Dogg. I’m warning you - it’s an offence to provide a false name and address.

Abdi: You tell me your name and address, cop!

Gahmal: Just tell him your name.

Police officer: Give me your real name or I will arrest you.

Abdi: I’m not going anywhere.

Police officer: If you refuse to cooperate I will charge you with giving a false name.

Abdi: My name is Abdi Ghergis. My address is....

A few weeks later

Abdi: Hey Gahmal how you doing? I just got a letter from the cops.

Gahmal: What does it say?

Abdi: It says, ‘You are charged with providing a false name and address to a police officer.’ They got no sense of humour.

Gahmal: Fff! So... What’s gonna happen?

Abdi: I gotta go to the court in three weeks.

Gahmal: Bummer! You better go to legal aid man.

Lawyer: So tell me what happened.

Abdi: Well, we were in the shops minding our own business and this cop comes up and he says...

Lawyer: Hmm. The police can ask for your name and address if they think you have done something wrong. Sometimes it’s easier to just tell them. It’s against the law to give them a false name and address.

Abdi: It was a joke!

Lawyer: It’s still against the law. After you’ve given your name and address you have a right to silence.

Abdi: What’s that mean?

Lawyer: Well, most of the time you don’t have to answer any other police questions. Like, where you’re going or what you’re doing.

Abdi: But the police are always picking on us.

Lawyer: Abdi, you MUST stay calm when you’re talking to the police even if you feel angry. You can complain later if they treat you badly and they have to give you their details too, if you ask.

Abdi: Well, I asked him and he didn’t give it to me.

Lawyer: Well, he should have and I can help you complain if you want. Now, these papers mean you must go to court in two weeks. If you don’t go you can be arrested and put in prison.

Abdi: OK.

Text message: Good luck, Abdi! Call me when it’s over.