Recent CRS Reports


“Proper Etiquette for When You’re Under Arrest”

From “Proper Etiquette for When You’re Under Arrest” by Adam Martin, The Atlantic Wire, April 6, 2012 #1: Be polite, respectful, and professional with the cops, even if they’re being jerks to you. #2: Don’t say anything to the cops that you don’t have to. #3: Answer the questions they need to process you. #4: … Read more

Depositions in Congressional Testimony

Under certain circumstances, congressional committee staff members may choose to depose potential witnesses and scheduled witnesses. The purpose of such depositions is to gather information in order to prepare for a hearing. This is more common in investigative hearings. photo credit: Vincent van der Pas Formal in nature, such questioning of a witness is the … Read more

The Constitution of the United States: Amendment 4 (Fourth Amendment – Search and Seizure)

The Constitution of the United States: Amendment 4 (Amendments 1-10 are known as the Bill Of Rights) (4th Amendment) Amendment IV. (Search and Seizure) The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon … Read more

“You were always free to go.”

Advocates of liberty and limited government should not concede the concept of “law and order” to those who engage in “excessive use of police powers.” Those who actually believe in law and order would hold police and prosecutors, as well as criminal suspects, to the rule of law; and that seems to be what the … Read more