You should never talk to the police without first consulting an attorney. Police officers are trained to obtain confessions, admissions and inconsistencies. If you are innocent, they will use inconsistencies in your statements as evidence of guilt.
Anything you say may be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish.
There is a long held doctrine that ignorance of the law will not excuse a criminal defendant for violating said law. For instance, if you were traveling down a street at 40 mph and the speed limit was 30 mph, you cannot escape liability for speeding by telling the officer that you didn't know that you were speeding.
In general, you do not have to talk to law enforcement officers (or anyone else), even if you do not feel free to walk away from the officer, you are arrested, or you are in jail. You cannot be punished for refusing to answer a question. It is a good idea to talk to a lawyer before agreeing to answer questions.
Many people believe that if they are arrested and not "read their rights," they can escape punishment. Not true. But if the police fail to read a suspect his or her Miranda rights, the prosecutor can't use for most purposes anything the suspect says as evidence against the suspect at trial.
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.Aug 12, 2020
In limited circumstances, ignorance of the law, or simply not realizing that something is illegal, can be a defense. In general, there is no requirement that someone know that what they are doing is illegal in order to be convicted of a crime.Jul 16, 2018
There's an important legal principle that says “ignorance of the law is no excuse.” That's right: you can't defend your actions by arguing you didn't know they were illegal, even if you honestly did not realize you were breaking the law.
The general principle that ignorance of the law is no excuse holds true for most cases. However, in some limited circumstances, ignorance of the law can be an excuse. For example, if there was not public notice about a law, then you could truly be said to be ignorant of the law in question.Jun 2, 2017
You do not have to answer any police questions. But if you are suspected of committing a crime, this may give the police grounds to arrest you. The police cannot search you or your property unless they have a valid search warrant.May 14, 2021
Hiring a lawyer does not make you look guilty; it makes you look serious about your innocence, reputation, and future. You cannot be arrested or convicted for looking guilty. You can be charged and convicted if there is sufficient evidence against you.May 30, 2019
Generally speaking, no. Police do not have to tell you why they are stopping you before asking for ID in a traffic stop, though it may be a standard practice in many areas. The officer must have a reason—i.e., probable cause—for the stop, but they are not legally required to tell you.