"Not signing for mail is going to raise a red flag." - Guess what dude, you are in the middle of a controlled delivery operating under DEA authority... flags are already up and waving.
Law isn't some bullshit game where you are doing something that might make them think something, which makes you think something...no, it's how things can be used in court....
PROSECUTOR:
Officer Ballbreaker, can you tell the jury whether or not the defendant signed for the package containing (xxxxxx)?
WITNESS:
Yes. The defendant (points at you) signed for the package acknowledging ownership...
The prosecutor is not going to ask whether or not you were a nice guy, cooperative, concerned about anything... and your lawyer isn't going to ask either. Why? Because officers on scene don't have to say ANYTHING other than the information that can be used against you.
I for one don't think it's unreasonable, given todays terror threats and atmosphere, to not sign for strange packages...
Which brings us to part 2. Say you don't sign for anything, then the UO will go back and communicate it to command. That guy will likely be in contact with the DA and they will decide right there whether or not they want to proceed with the warrant.
If you turn down a package, and they still knock on your door, your not going to talk your way out of it. They either have something else on you or they have something they can leverage against you. So... dont say shit except "lawyer" immediately... first thing... that way anything that is said after that (which there shouldn't be but no one is perfect) could possibly be dismissed because you requested council.
Law isn't some bullshit game where you are doing something that might make them think something, which makes you think something...no, it's how things can be used in court....
PROSECUTOR:
Officer Ballbreaker, can you tell the jury whether or not the defendant signed for the package containing (xxxxxx)?
WITNESS:
Yes. The defendant (points at you) signed for the package acknowledging ownership...
The prosecutor is not going to ask whether or not you were a nice guy, cooperative, concerned about anything... and your lawyer isn't going to ask either. Why? Because officers on scene don't have to say ANYTHING other than the information that can be used against you.
I for one don't think it's unreasonable, given todays terror threats and atmosphere, to not sign for strange packages...

Which brings us to part 2. Say you don't sign for anything, then the UO will go back and communicate it to command. That guy will likely be in contact with the DA and they will decide right there whether or not they want to proceed with the warrant.
If you turn down a package, and they still knock on your door, your not going to talk your way out of it. They either have something else on you or they have something they can leverage against you. So... dont say shit except "lawyer" immediately... first thing... that way anything that is said after that (which there shouldn't be but no one is perfect) could possibly be dismissed because you requested council.