Know Your Rights.
Every Single One.

You have the right to refuse consent to a search of your home, car, or person.

4th Amendment; Katz v. United States, 389 U.S. 347 (1967)

Police need a warrant signed by a judge to enter your home. An administrative warrant (ICE Form I-200/I-205) does NOT authorize entry.

Payton v. New York, 445 U.S. 573 (1980)

You can say: "I do not consent to a search." This must be respected unless they have a valid judicial warrant.

Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218 (1973)

Evidence obtained without a valid warrant or consent may be suppressed ("excluded") from court.

Mapp v. Ohio, 367 U.S. 643 (1961) — exclusionary rule applies to states

A traffic stop must be based on reasonable suspicion of a specific violation. You may ask: "Am I free to go?"

Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968); Rodriguez v. United States, 575 U.S. 348 (2015)

You have the absolute right to remain silent. You cannot be punished for invoking it. Say: "I am exercising my right to remain silent."

5th Amendment; Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966)

You do NOT have to answer questions from ICE, FBI, or any federal agent without an attorney present.

Salinas v. Texas, 570 U.S. 178 (2013) — invoke explicitly

You cannot be compelled to produce self-incriminating documents or testimony.

Fisher v. United States, 425 U.S. 391 (1976)

The government cannot take your property without due process and just compensation.

5th Amendment Takings Clause; Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005)

You can stop ALL collection calls by sending a written cease-and-desist letter. They must stop immediately.

15 U.S.C. § 1692c(c); Heintz v. Jenkins, 514 U.S. 291 (1995)

Debt collectors cannot call before 8am or after 9pm, or call your workplace if you tell them to stop.

15 U.S.C. § 1692c(a)

You can dispute a debt within 30 days. They must stop collecting until they verify it in writing.

15 U.S.C. § 1692g

Every FDCPA violation is worth up to $1,000 in statutory damages — plus actual damages and attorney fees.

15 U.S.C. § 1692k; Jerman v. Carlisle, McNellie, 559 U.S. 573 (2010)

They cannot threaten arrest, violence, or legal action they do not intend to take.

15 U.S.C. § 1692e

Wage garnishment requires a court judgment first. They cannot garnish without suing you and winning.

15 U.S.C. § 1673; Sniadach v. Family Finance Corp., 395 U.S. 337 (1969)

You have the right to be informed — the IRS must explain what they want and why, in plain language.

IRC § 7803(a)(3)(A); Taxpayer Bill of Rights, Pub. L. 114-113

You have the right to appeal any IRS decision — including in U.S. Tax Court, without paying first.

IRC § 6213; Flora v. United States, 362 U.S. 145 (1960)

The IRS CANNOT levy your wages or property without 30 days written notice and a right to a CDP hearing.

IRC § 6330; United States v. National Bank of Commerce, 472 U.S. 713 (1985)

You can request penalty abatement for reasonable cause or first-time abatement (FTA) — no prior penalties in 3 years.

IRC § 6651; Treas. Reg. § 301.6651-1(c)

You have the right to representation — a CPA, enrolled agent, or attorney can represent you before the IRS.

IRC § 7521(b); Circular 230

You can request an Offer in Compromise to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount owed.

IRC § 7122; Dalton v. Commissioner, 682 F.3d 149 (1st Cir. 2012)

You cannot be fired, demoted, or harassed because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40+), or disability.

Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e; ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12101; ADEA, 29 U.S.C. § 621

You must file an EEOC charge within 180 days (300 days in states with their own agencies) before suing.

42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(e); National Railroad Passenger Corp. v. Morgan, 536 U.S. 101 (2002)

Your employer cannot retaliate against you for filing an EEOC charge or reporting discrimination.

42 U.S.C. § 2000e-3; Burlington Northern v. White, 548 U.S. 53 (2006)

You are entitled to overtime pay (1.5x) for hours over 40 per week unless you are a bona fide exempt employee.

FLSA, 29 U.S.C. § 207; IBP, Inc. v. Alvarez, 546 U.S. 21 (2005)

Sexual harassment — including a hostile work environment — is illegal sex discrimination.

Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson, 477 U.S. 57 (1986); Oncale v. Sundowner, 523 U.S. 75 (1998)

Landlords cannot refuse to rent, set different terms, or harass you based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.

Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3604; Texas Dept. of Housing v. Inclusive Communities, 576 U.S. 519 (2015)

You must receive proper written notice before eviction — typically 3 to 30 days depending on state law.

State landlord-tenant statutes; Lindsey v. Normet, 405 U.S. 56 (1972)

You can file a HUD fair housing complaint within one year of the discriminatory act.

42 U.S.C. § 3610; HUD 24 C.F.R. Part 103

Landlords must make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities.

42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(B); Bhogaita v. Altamonte Heights Condo. Assn., 765 F.3d 1277 (11th Cir. 2014)

You have the right to access your own medical records within 30 days of request. Providers cannot charge excessive fees.

HIPAA, 45 C.F.R. § 164.524; Ciox Health v. Azar, 435 F. Supp. 3d 30 (D.D.C. 2020)

Emergency rooms must screen and stabilize you regardless of your ability to pay or immigration status.

EMTALA, 42 U.S.C. § 1395dd; Roberts v. Galen of Virginia, 525 U.S. 249 (1999)

Your medical information cannot be shared without your authorization except in limited circumstances.

HIPAA Privacy Rule, 45 C.F.R. § 164.502; Sorrell v. IMS Health, 564 U.S. 552 (2011)

You can file a HIPAA complaint with HHS OCR within 180 days of the violation.

45 C.F.R. § 160.306; HHS OCR enforcement authority

Child support automatically terminates when a child reaches the age of majority (18 in most states, 21 in some) — but you must file a motion to stop the order.

State family codes; Turner v. Rogers, 564 U.S. 431 (2011)

If you were never given a DNA test before a paternity order was entered, you may petition to disestablish paternity based on fraud, duress, or newly discovered evidence.

State paternity statutes; Michael H. v. Gerald D., 491 U.S. 110 (1989)

You have the right to request a modification of child support when there is a substantial change in circumstances — job loss, income change, or child reaching adulthood.

42 U.S.C. § 666(a)(10); Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA)

The Attorney General's Child Support Division must respond to written complaints about enforcement errors, wrongful collection, or arrears disputes.

Title IV-D, 42 U.S.C. § 651; 45 C.F.R. § 303.72

Arrears that accrued while you were paying for an adult child may be challenged as a violation of due process if the order was not properly terminated.

14th Amendment Due Process; Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319 (1976)

Interstate child support orders are governed by UIFSA — only one state can have jurisdiction at a time, and you can petition to transfer jurisdiction.

UIFSA, 28 U.S.C. § 1738B; Draper v. Burke, 450 Mass. 676 (2008)