'10 Rules for Dealing with Police' seeks to teach constitutional rights

DIRECT: The film dispenses free legal advice with no-holds-barred dialogue. (Rich Winkler -- Flexyourrights.org)

Murphy: "I know how you feel, man. . . . You never know for sure what's going on in an officer's head. I hate to say it, but from what I hear it sounds like you broke the first rule of dealing with police: Always be calm and cool."

Carry the rules on a little white napkin if you have to, the producers say, but remember them:

1. Always be calm and cool.

2. You have the right to remain silent.

3. You have the right to refuse searches.

4. Don't get tricked into waiving your rights.

5. Determine if you're free to go.

6. Don't do anything illegal.

7. Don't run.

8. Never touch a cop.

9. Report misconduct: Be a good witness.

10. You don't have to let them in.

A spokesman for the D.C. police, who had not seen the film, said the rules are good rules to follow. "However," he said, "if you have nothing to hide and police are doing some kind of investigation, you should tell them whatever they need to know. Police are there to protect the society and the community in which we work."

Rewind the opening scene: This time a polite young man rolls down the window. The officer writes him a ticket for swerving between lanes. The man gets back into his little red car, drives off into the night.