October 16, 2007
Panel to discuss police-citizen interaction
CARBONDALE, Ill. — A panel discussion at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will focus on a person's rights when stopped by police.
"Police-Citizen Interaction: Know Your Rights," is set for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 18, in the Hiram H. Lesar Law School Building, room 204. The event is open to the public; admission is free.
Recent incidents across the nation that raised questions about possible police over-reaction prompted the discussion, said SIU School of Law Professor Leonard Gross.
Gross hopes those attending "learn more about their rights and know better how to protect them in the future."
The discussion will look at appropriate reactions and obligations by citizens and police in traffic stop and arrest situations, Gross said. A short video detailing what people should do during traffic stops will also be shown.
Program speakers are:
- James Garofalo, professor, SIUC's Center for the Study of Crime, Delinquency and Corrections.
- Cyril D. Robinson, professor emeritus, SIUC's Center for the Study of Crime, Delinquency and Corrections.
- William A. Schroeder, professor, SIU School of Law.
- Ed Dorsey, an attorney with the Carbondale chapter of the NAACP.
- Todd D. Sigler, director, SIUC Department of Public Safety.
The SIU School of Law, SIUC's Center for the Study of Crime, Delinquency and Corrections, the Southern Illinois Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, and Equal Justice Works are sponsoring the event.