NLG staff, chapters, projects, committees, and members regularly create and update guides and trainings to help people face law enforcement and the legal system. Commonly referred to as “Know Your Rights” or “KYRs,” the NLG Mass Defense Program recognizes that these “rights” do not truly protect us in the streets and are often knowingly violated by government agents, who courts and legislatures protect.
In reality, KYR guides and trainings should help individuals know and measure risks so they can make informed choices on their conduct, based on controlling law. Having only knowledge of legal rights is not enough, since the rights are rarely guaranteed in protests and political actions. Because of this, these legal guides and related trainings are referred to as “Know Your Risks.”
We will continue to share and use our older “Know Your Rights” materials, as the content remains useful and correct, and they have been consistently aware of the rights-versus-risks dynamics, although not recognizing them by name. We invite our members and partners to think critically of what only popular knowledge of these legal “rights” implies when the state knows they can be trampled!
Updated September 2024
With permission from the Midnight Special Legal Collective, we have revamped their Legal Steps & Choices resource into an in-depth NLG KYR guide!
Prosecutions vary greatly, but they follow a similar process across the U.S. Although designed to be oppressive and scary, there are choices to be made at each step of the process. This guide is meant to help people facing charges navigate the criminal punishment system so that they can preserve their dignity and autonomy against the State.
You can open the full PDF by clicking the image next to or below the text, at the button below, or at this link. A zine version is available below!
Zine Version
Print on landscape orientation, double-sided flip on short edge.
Last Updated June 2022
Our Know Your Rights for Protesters booklet is a more comprehensive version of our classic pamphlet, with more information for protesters at higher risk of being targeted by law enforcement. This resource is best to use in advance of an action or demonstration, to give you the kinds of information that will help you know your rights and risks. Because it is much longer than the original version, it may take longer to read.
This booklet was created by the National Lawyers Guild, in collaboration with the National Police Accountability Project, National Immigration Project of the NLG, and the Know Your Rights Camp, with material from the NLG Disability Justice Committee, NLG Mass Defense Committee, and NLG law student members.
You can open the full PDF by clicking the cover image next to the text, or at this link. Printed booklets can be obtained by going to nlg.org/kyrbooklets.
Last Updated May 2015
These Know Your Rights (KYR) booklets are designed to be a practical resource for people dealing with law enforcement. The 16-page primer advises people of their rights when confronted by FBI agents or the Department of Homeland Security. It also includes information for noncitizens and minors. These booklets are available for free download below. Some printed booklets (in English, Spanish, Arabic) can be obtained by going to nlg.org/kyrbooklets.
