A practical note for clients, fellow attorneys and business protessionals.
I have experienced targeting myself-online, offline and in public-and circumstances became an emergency. My advice from that experience is simple: be smart, remain nonviolent, and do not confront anyone.
If you have legitimate safety concerns, consider traveling with others whenever possible. Witnesses matter. Let someone know your route, document objective facts when safely stopped, preserve existing evidence, and call 911 if you reasonably believe you are in immediate danger.
Be especially cautious about recording law enforcement, particularly federal officers. Depending upon the circumstances, recording-related conduct can lead to detention, arrest, device seizure, allegations of interference or obstruction, or prosecution. Do not interfere with an operation or place yourself in danger to obtain evidence.
Remember your smartphone. Modern vehicles connect to phones through Bluetooth, CarPlay/Android Auto, manufacturer apps, digital keys and location services.
Regularly review connected devices, permissions and location sharing—particularly if your phone contains confidential client or business information.
Stay around witnesses. Preserve evidence. Report legitimate concerns. Get legal advice. No confrontation. No violence.
Sources: California Highway Patrol; California DOJ; Federal Trade Commission, Connected Vehicle Privacy Resources;
ACLU of Southern California; State Bar of California.
Legal Disclaimer: General educational information only; not legal advice and no attorney-client relationship is created.
This post does not allege unlawful conduct by any person or agency. Rights and remedies depend upon the particular facts and applicable law.