when can i have a lawyer present during questioning

by Torrey Stark 10 min read

You have a right to have your attorney present during the interrogation, not just to speak with the attorney. So make sure that you do not answer any questions until you consult with your attorney, and the attorney is present.

Why is the right to have a lawyer present in questioning?

The right to have counsel present at a custodial interrogation is necessary to protect the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. A suspect detained for interrogation must be clearly informed that he has the right to consult with a lawyer and to have the lawyer with him during interrogation.

When a suspect has been taken into custody and has requested an attorney all questioning must cease until?

U.S. (512 U.S. 453 (1994).) The Court noted that if a suspect invokes the right to counsel at any time, the police must at once stop the questioning until a lawyer is present.

Should you ask for a lawyer right away?

If you spontaneously or voluntarily speak without being questioned, your words can be used against you. Not only is it good to ask for an attorney, but you should also stop speaking until you have a chance to consult with an attorney on your case.

Does asking for an attorney make you look guilty?

Many people are afraid to exercise their constitutional right to a lawyer because they worry it will leave an impression of guilt. However, you are well within your full rights to calmly and politely request all conversations to take place in the presence of an attorney.

Can police force you to come in for questioning?

If you are simply walking down the road or are at home, having committed no offence then the police cannot ask you to come with them without stating a solid reason and you are within your rights to refuse to go with them. Women or children below 15 can only be questioned by the police in their homes.

What is the Edwards rule?

Arizona, 451 U.S. 477 (1981), is a decision by the United States Supreme Court holding that once a defendant invokes his Fifth Amendment right to counsel, police must cease custodial interrogation.

Do I have the right to remain silent?

In the Miranda decision, the Supreme Court spelled out the substance of the warnings that officers are required to give to you, either in writing or orally, before questioning you: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. (5th Amendment)

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

Is the right to remain silent in the Bill of Rights?

The right to remain silent stems from the Fifth Amendment. The Fifth Amendment in the Bill of Rights is an important part of the United States Constitution because it protects certain individual liberties by restricting federal governmental power.

Pre-Arrest Interviews

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Not all police interviews take place after an arrest. In many situations, the police become aware a crime has been committed and must investigate to identify potential suspects. The police may wish to question you about a crime if you were a witness or they believe you were involved. If the police call you or show up at yo…
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The Constitution Protects Your Right to An Attorney

  • Your right to an attorney during criminal prosecutions is provided by the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states: “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informe…
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Do The Police Want to Question You?

  • If you have not been arrested but have been contacted by the police – or if you have been arrested for a crime – the best way to protect yourself is to call a criminal defense lawyer right away. You have the right to an attorney throughout a criminal investigation and case and should invoke this right as soon as you are able to. To talk with a criminal defense attorney, call The Law Offices o…
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The Fifth Amendment Right to Counsel

  • The Fifth Amendment provides protection against compelled self-incrimination in any criminal case. In other words, you aren’t required to be a witness against yourself. (Criminal defendants have the presumption of innocence; it’s the prosecutor’s job to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.) In Miranda v. Arizona, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that the Fifth Am…
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The Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel

  • The Sixth Amendment guarantees the effective assistance of counsel in criminal proceedings. If a defendant can’t afford to hire an attorney, the court will appointone at the government’s expense.
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Differences Between The Fifth and Sixth Amendments’ Right to Counsel

  • The Fifth Amendment right to counsel applies during the criminal investigation stage, when a person is “in custody” and being questioned. When the government’s role shifts from investigating a suspect to accusing and prosecuting a defendant for a crime, the Sixth Amendment right to counsel kicks in. The Sixth Amendment right to counsel is “offense ...
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Violation of Right to Counsel

  • When the right to counsel under the Fifth or Sixth Amendment is violated, the remedy is typically exclusion of the evidence at trial. Any statements made in response to police questions after a person has invoked the right to counsel are not admissible as evidence at trial to prove the defendant's guilt. However, statements obtained in violation of the Fifth or Sixth Amendment ar…
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