‘Know Your Rights' workshop held in Patterson following traffic stop, arrests

Yahoo

10-05-2025

A 'Know Your Rights' workshop was held Thursday at Gathering Covenant Church in Patterson — just blocks from where a Stanislaus County sheriff's deputy was recorded last month using force during a traffic stop. The incident drew public outcry.
The workshop was organized in response to the April incident, which involved Deputy Alexander Helms and a driver, Joshua Rhodes. The stop, initiated over an alleged red-light violation, was captured on cellphone video.
The footage circulated widely on social media, prompting criticism of the deputy's actions and leading the Sheriff's Office to release body camera footage.
After the vehicle stop, the deputy and the driver have a verbal back-and-forth. Helms repeatedly demands Rhodes exit his vehicle, which the driver refuses to do. Eventually, Helms tries to open the door of the car and pull out the driver. At one point during a struggle, Rhodes grabs Helms' arm.
By the time backup has arrived, the deputy has fired his Taser at Rhodes and pointed his gun at him.
Ultimately, Rhodes and his passenger, Elianna Barraza, were arrested, him on suspicion of using violence or threats to impede a law enforcement official from doing his duty, her for resisting arrest.
Sacramento-based criminal defense attorney Keith J. Staten, who led the workshop, was asked how someone should respond in a situation like the one between Helms and Rhodes.
Staten went over the encounter and offered an alternative ending: the driver asking to speak with a lawyer and choosing not to engage further with the officer.
'If he had done that, it ends right there,' Staten said.
Staten said he believes the situation could have turned deadly — and that the deputy might have shot Rhodes if backup hadn't arrived when it did.
'He was that close to being shot,' Staten said.
The workshop was organized by the local NAACP, Valley Improvement Projects, Invest in Me and the Grayson Neighborhood Council.
It lasted nearly two and a half hours, with around 20 attendees who were provided pizza and 'Know Your Rights' cards to take home.
Wendy Byrd, president of the local NAACP and a member of the Modesto Community Police Review Board, pointed out the contrast in attendance, noting that the turnout was much smaller than the crowd that attended the Patterson City Council meeting to protest the use-of-force incident.
'When there's a problem or something to complain about, you get a big crowd. But when we're talking about solutions and how to advocate for yourself … for some reason, there's little turnout,' Byrd said.
Staten, who has been an attorney for about 31 years, said he didn't want to be a lawyer at first, but was pushed into it by a desire 'to save young Black men.'
His core mantra is 'Fight the law with the law.' Essentially, knowing rights is key to effectively navigating interactions with law enforcement.
'We carry the burden in ensuring that we're not murdered,' Staten said, adding that it's not worth fighting a cop. 'Don't risk your life because you're ignorant, because you're stupid, because you got pride.'
Staten began the presentation with a history of policing in the U.S., tracing its roots to the capture of runaway slaves. He then provided an overview of constitutional rights and key Supreme Court rulings, alongside statistics highlighting the disproportionate arrest rates for Black people nationwide.
In Stanislaus County, sheriff deputies used force against Black individuals at a rate of more than six times their population since 2016.
Staten's main advice when contacted by police is to say these five crucial words: 'Am I free to leave?' If the answer is no, you are being detained, and you should immediately request to speak with a lawyer. Just give your name and present your ID.
Children should also ask for a lawyer rather than ask for their parents. Children 15 and under are required by law to have a lawyer present before questioning in California.
Otherwise, remain silent, Staten said. Don't argue, answer questions or ask why you're being stopped. Don't run or resist.
'Give them nothing. Be like water, just float,' he said.
He explained the concept of probable cause, a legal standard meaning there is a reasonable basis to believe a crime has been, is being, or will be committed. Police generally need probable cause for arrests, searches and warrants.
This is why it's crucial to stay quiet and request an attorney when approached by an officer, Staten said, because anything you say can be used against you and you might unintentionally provide the officer with probable cause.
He also urged people to note the names and badge numbers of officers and file complaints with the department if necessary. For safety, you can begin recording the interaction with your phone.
Staten encouraged people to serve on juries whenever possible, stressing the importance of diverse jury pools to ensure a 'jury of your peers.'