why did my lawyer tell me to talk to police

Criminal defense lawyers are usually hired after someone has been arrested and charged with a crime. But if you’ve been contacted by the police because they “just want to talk” hiring a lawyer may be one of the best decisions you can make. Criminal defense lawyers are usually hired after someone has been arrested and charged with a crime.

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer if the police just want to talk?

If you have been contacted by the police and they tell you they “just want to talk,” contact a lawyer first. Hiring a lawyer could be the difference between you walking out of the police station with your freedom, versus spending the night in jail.

When should you talk to the police?

There are times when you should talk to the police. For example, if a police officer approaches you on the street and wants to talk to you when you know you’ve done nothing wrong, it might make sense to answer the officer’s questions, in as few words as possible so that the police officer lets you go.

Should I talk to the police if I am innocent?

Remember: There is absolutely nothing to be gained by talking to the police—it will not stop the police from arresting you and, in the end, will only hurt your case and your future. Perhaps you actually are innocent, yet make a misstatement when talking to police, leading them to believe you are guilty.

Should you talk to a lawyer before confessing to a crime?

And if you do confess to the police, the prosecutor has an easy job of proving a case. On the other hand, if you talk to a lawyer first, even if you did commit a crime, your lawyer can negotiate a plea deal with the prosecutor that will be more advantageous for you.

Should you let your lawyer do all the talking?

Generally, the lawyer does at least MOST of the talking. But this may change depending upon your circumstances. The ONLY person you should be asking this question to is your lawyer...

Can a lawyer know you did the crime?

Although popular culture may detest the work that criminal lawyers do, the function of a lawyer is crucial in order to maintain justice and ensure fair outcomes for anyone that is facing legal charges. Truthfully, a defense lawyer almost never really knows whether the defendant is guilty or not of the charged crime.

Does my lawyer have to do what I say?

An attorney must always do what they say they will in a prompt and timely manner as unreasonable delay may adversely affect the outcome of your case.

What happens when a detective wants to speak with you?

During an investigation, the detective may also have someone you know, such as a parent, sibling, or spouse, call you. The intent is to get you to admit to the crime. These calls are recorded and may become evidence against you. They may have someone you know wear a wire and try to obtain a confession.

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.

Do lawyers lie for their clients?

In California, the Rules of Professional Conduct govern a lawyer's ethical duties. The law prohibits lawyers from engaging in dishonesty.

What is the most common complaint against lawyers?

Perhaps the most common kinds of complaints against lawyers involve delay or neglect. This doesn't mean that occasionally you've had to wait for a phone call to be returned. It means there has been a pattern of the lawyer's failing to respond or to take action over a period of months.

Why would a lawyer randomly call me?

It could be that you are a witness to some event that they represent someone else for, they could represent a creditor of yours, or many, many, many other reasons.

Can I sue a lawyer for lying?

No matter what name the agency in your state goes by, they will have a process you can use to file a complaint against your attorney for lying or being incompetent. Examples of these types of behavior include: Misusing your money. Failing to show up at a court hearing.

How long can you be under investigation?

Statute of Limitations in Federal Crime Cases For most federal crimes, the statute of limitations is five years. Bank fraud has a statute of limitations of ten years. Immigration violations and arson are also subject to a ten year limit.

Why would an investigator be looking for me?

A primary reason why someone may hire a private investigator is to have this person conduct surveillance on a target. A person may require surveillance if he or she believes another person is trying to harm him or her, such as checking for a stalker or an abusive ex.

What happens after police investigation?

When the police finish their investigation they might pass the information to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The police or CPS will decide whether to take the case to court. If they later decide to stop or change your case, you should be told the reasons why within 5 working days.

What to do if you are being asked to talk to a police officer?

Our attorneys are highly skilled and knowledgeable regarding Florida laws and will assess your case after hearing what you have to say, then determine the best way to proceed. You can trust an attorney from Finebloom, Haenel and Higgins; we will aggressively defend your rights and look out for your future.

How long can a person be questioned by police?

The Court decreed that any person held for a federal crime cannot be held and questioned for longer than six hours unless they are brought before a federal Magistrate Judge. Even with these additional safeguards in place, six hours is a very long time to be questioned by police, and the rules in non-federal cases are often blurry at best. While states are not obligated to follow Federal guidelines, local police departments may choose to err on the side of caution in bringing a suspect before a judge sooner rather than later if only to avoid the possibility of having a coerced confession thrown out—or they may not.

What happens if you don't tell a white lie?

If you are innocent and don’t tell a white lie or give the police a detail they can use against you, what if the police officer you are speaking to doesn’t remember your statement with 100% accuracy? Police are only human, and unless you are being recorded while speaking to the police, they may remember what you said one way while you remember it entirely differently. They may also take a portion of what you said out of context, making it sound like you said something you actually did not mean. Of course you will have the opportunity at trial to tell the jury that you did not say what the officer stated, however in the real world juries are just much more apt to believe a police officer over the person on trial. They will assume that you will lie in order to avoid being convicted of a crime. It may not be fair, or right, but this is the world we live in.

What does it mean when a detective asks you questions?

It is equally important that you understand that if a detective calls and says he just wants to “talk to you and ask you a few questions,” this is exactly the same thing as an interrogation. The police may cloak their request in milder language in order to lull you into thinking there is no reason you shouldn’t talk to them, but police officers are highly trained to extract as much information from a suspect as possible, using any tactics necessary—even if that includes blatantly lying to a suspect.

Do you have to be silent when being questioned by police?

If you are ever in a situation where you are being questioned by the police, it is extremely important that you take your right to remain silent very seriously. In many cases suspects are questioned aggressively to the point they give in and confess—even when they are actually innocent. A 2009 United States Supreme Court ruling addressed this issue in Federal cases after a robbery suspect was held and questioned for two days straight. The Court held that interrogation involving isolation and pressure can lead to involuntary confessions from truly innocent people.

Can the police make a deal with you?

It is important that you understand that the police have no authority to make a deal with you in return for your statement. Of course they may imply they do have such authority, but only the district attorney’s office can offer you a legitimate deal. Police are well-known for telling suspects that “it will be much easier on you, if you just tell me what happened.” This statement is never going to be true, so don’t believe it.

Can talking to a police officer help you?

There are virtually no scenarios in which talking to a police officer will actually help you. If you have been brought in for questioning, it is important that you realize that the police officers believe you have committed a crime and that they have almost enough evidence against you to arrest you. It is highly likely the officers are working under the theory that if they get you to talk, you will give them additional evidence against you. It is probably fair to say that no one has ever talked their way out of an arrest; if you deny that you had any part in committing the crime in question it is highly unlikely you will be believed—after all, the police believe all suspects are guilty and that you will lie to get yourself out of trouble. There are many, many, people who believed they were eloquent or well-educated enough to convince a police officer they had no part in committing the crime in question, yet many of those people are currently sitting behind bars. Remember: There is absolutely nothing to be gained by talking to the police—it will not stop the police from arresting you and, in the end, will only hurt your case and your future.

Why do police not want to talk to you?

When police contact someone, they don’t really “just want to talk.” More likely it’s because they already have some evidence and want to validate their suspicions. Maybe they think you were a witness, but it could also mean that they believe you’re a suspect.

When should you talk to the police?

There are times when you should talk to the police. For example, if a police officer approaches you on the street and wants to talk to you when you know you’ve done nothing wrong, it might make sense to answer the officer’s questions, in as few words as possible so that the police officer lets you go.

What to do if you are involved in a crime?

If there is any possible way you were involved in something criminal - even slightly - do not talk to the police. Talk to a lawyer first. And if a police officer contacts you because they “want to talk” it’s best to go to the meeting with a lawyer. Alternatively, a lawyer may be able to help you prepare a written statement ...

What do you need to tell a police officer you are under arrest?

Once you have been placed under arrest, you need to affirmatively tell the police officer that you are invoking your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and that you want to speak with a lawyer.

What can a lawyer do to help police?

A lawyer can quickly analyze the incident that the police want to discuss with you, and can even contact the police first to determine what they want to know. Some people worry that insisting on having a lawyer present makes them look guilty.

What is probable cause?

Probable cause could be something as simple as conflicting answers to their questions. Police officers are masters at getting people to admit things, and at spotting lies or inconsistencies. They will ask the same question, over and over again, in different ways, then point out small differences in your answers.

Why do you reach out to the police?

If you’re reaching out to the police because you have information about a crime that was committed or because you were the victim of a crime, it is much less likely that you are a suspect. If you were a witness to a crime, want to help, and you contact the police to provide information - talk to the police. Things get murky when you might have been ...

Why do police want to talk to you?

They want to talk to you because they have some evidence that you committed a crime. It could be a statement from someone who believes they saw you commit a crime. Or it could be a statement by one witness who lied to the police to get you in trouble.

Why do you need a lawyer when you are questioned?

5 Reasons to Ask for a Lawyer when questioned by Law Enforcement. If you are in the military, the military police (or other law enforcement personnel) have to tell you what crime you are suspected of before they question you. They also have to tell you that you have a right to remain silent. And they have to tell you that anything you say can be ...

What happens if you tell the truth?

Even if you are innocent and you tell the truth, you will always give the police some information that can be used to help convict you.

Can you crucify a police officer if they don't recall your testimony?

Even if you are innocent and tell the truth and you don’t tell the police anything incriminating, there is still a chance that your answers can be used to crucify you if the police do not recall your testimony with 100% accu racy. Example : “I don’t know who killed John. I’ve never touched a gun in my life.”.

Did the police officer tell you the weapon used was a gun?

At trial, the police officer testifies that he had never told you that the weapon used was a gun. The police wonder why you mentioned a gun. But, you remember the first police officer who brought you in for questioning told you that the crime involved a gun.

Is it a good idea to talk to law enforcement?

Hopefully, this gives you the basic idea of why it is never a good idea to talk to law enforcement. It is natural for people to want to prove they are innocent, but it backfires. While you should always be respectful, always ask for a lawyer. Always.

Is it smart to ask for a lawyer?

This is not true. It is ALWAYS smart to ask for a lawyer.

What is the trouble with trying to help the police?

The trouble here is that, in the process of trying to help the police, you may be putting yourself into a situation that gives the police evidence against you. There are too many unknown factors for you.

What happens if you are not arrested and are being interviewed?

If you have not been arrested and are just being interviewed, the police are under no obligation to remind you that you have the right to remain silent, or that you have the right to an attorney.

Do you have to talk to the police?

You do not have to, nor should you ever, talk to the police if you are a suspect or a possible suspect in the commission of a crime. Below are some of the objections I hear clients make when I advise them not to talk to the police, followed by how I would likely answer those objections.

Can you be charged with a crime if you refuse to talk to the police?

The fact that you refused to talk to the police cannot be used against you. In talking to the police, you could unwittingly say something that gives them reason to think you are guilty, or gives them additional evidence that they can use to officially charge you with a crime.

Can you know if you are innocent of a crime?

Believe it or not, you may not even know if you are innocent of violating some law. You cannot be expected to know all of the laws that are on the books. We’ve often heard it said, and it is true, that “ignorance of the law is no excuse” for breaking the law. If the police are asking to talk to you, there is a good possibility that they believe you have broken a law, and they may have evidence to support their belief. However, they don’t have to tell you that before or during their interview.

Who is the burden of proof when you commit a crime?

The third is that the burden of proof that you committed a criminal offense is on prosecutor. You never have the burden of proving that you are innocent. You have special protections under the law and do not have to tell them anything.

Do you have to hire a lawyer before talking to the police?

Always hire a lawyer before talking to the police. The lawyers of Dearie, Fischer & Mathews can help you get more information about your case and can talk to the police for you. We have a great deal of experience talking with the police departments in Lebanon, Beavercreek, and the surrounding areas: Warren, Montgomery, Butler and Greene Counties, and all of southwest Ohio.

Why don't attorneys burst in?

Another reason attorneys don’t burst in is that the very moment a potential criminal asks for an attorney then questioning stops immediately. There is no reason for an attorney to burst up in there when their client is sitting there often alone. If they invoke their right to silence or ask for an attorney’s counsel then any questioning conducted from then on is garbage and an officer will be flushing the case down the toilet to continue.

What happens if an attorney has not yet had time to confer with their client?

If the attorney has not yet had time to confer with their client and learn the truth, how things went down, etc to work on strategy then silence is golden. Sometimes after speaking with the client they decide that certain statements are necessary.

What happens if you invoke the 6th amendment?

If someone were to invoke their Sixth Amendment right to counsel, but then continue to answer questions from the police willingly, they would run the risk of the court finding a waiver of their Fifth Amendment rights. There are two separate rights that you want to invoke when asking for a lawyer.

What happens if you refuse to sign an affidavit?

In many states in the US, you will be required to sign a statement affirming that you have been advised as to your rights. If you refuse, you will be advised again, either in front of witnesses, who will then sign an affidavit saying they witnessed it, or it will be on videotape.

What happens if a judge finds you indigent?

If the judge found you to be indigent, he would appoint counsel for you. The judge, not the defendant, decides whether the defendant can afford to hire a lawyer. I've seen several cases where a defendant had resources, but didn't want to expend them on legal counsel.

What does it mean when someone says anything you say can be used against you?

Also, anything you say that would tend to be exculpatory or lend to your innocence will neither be recorded or introduced in court on your behalf. So give them only the basic information needed to book you and is required for a bond and remain quiet.

How many ways do police get convictions?

The Police have a difficult job and you can forget what you see on television. There are three main ways they get a conviction.

What to do if your lawyer doubts you?

Tell the Truth. If your lawyer doubts you in the consultation, or doesn't think you have a case, while that may change over time, getting over an initial disbelief is very hard. You have to prove your case. Your attorney is not your witness. They are your advocate - but you are responsible for coming up with proof.

Why do people hire lawyers?

Most people hired attorneys because they don't want to sit in court. Well, truth be told, neither do I. The difference between lawyer and client is that the lawyer expects it to take a long time and understands. The client typically thinks it's unjustified. So, your hard truth is that each case takes time. Be patient.

Why is it so expensive to go to court?

It's expensive because we have to wait in line too. Going to court is more than dressing up in a fancy suit and knowing what papers to fill out. Attorneys have to wait in line just like the "regular folk" and we are at the mercy of the court staff just like everyone else. If you get a bill that includes time spent waiting in court, it's not usually exaggerated. While some people may stretch the truth - if you want to see whether I had to wait an hour for the case to get called, then just come with me to court. Some courtrooms have more than 50 cases on the call. Your case may not be first or even ninth. I have been number 210 on the list before. It takes time. Most people hired attorneys because they don't want to sit in court. Well, truth be told, neither do I. The difference between lawyer and client is that the lawyer expects it to take a long time and understands. The client typically thinks it's unjustified. So, your hard truth is that each case takes time. Be patient.

Why is credibility important in court?

Credibility is one of the most important things in this world - and most important in a courtroom. If you care enough only to wear sweats to the courthouse, then the judge will see that you don't care, and that will be reflected in their desire to help you, listen to you, and decide in your favor. Step it up.

What to say when a judge can see your boobs?

If the judge can see your boobs, he's not listening to your story. If I can see your boobs, then I know you didn't care enough about yourself to talk to an attorney. Dress like you are going to church. Credibility is one of the most important things in this world - and most important in a courtroom.

What happens if you don't pay your lawyer?

If you don't pay your lawyer on the day of trial, or however you have agreed to, then while he or she may be obligated by other ethical duties to do his/her best, they won't be motivated by sympathy for you, and it will show in court.

What to do if no one can confirm a story is true?

If no one can confirm that the story is true, you will at least need something external, such as a hard copy document, to prove your case. Be prepared.

Why did Burbine argue that the interrogation violated his Sixth Amendment right to counsel?

Next, Burbine argued that the interrogation violated his Sixth Amendment right to counsel because he had formed an attorney-client relationship that police failed to honor. The court also rejected this contention. Said the court, "The suggestion that the existence of an attorney-client relationship itself triggers the protections ...

Do you have to follow the instructions of an attorney?

That doesn't mean, however, that you have to follow the attorney's instruction. The Constitution does not forbid you to talk to a person just because that person has an attorney, or just because the attorney tells you not to do it.

Does Miranda protect against police interrogation?

Although neither Miranda nor the Sixth Amendment right to counsel prohibits police interrogation of a willing suspect merely because his attorney has informed police his or her client is not to be questioned, some jurisdictions may have statutory rules restricting such contacts. Officers should consult local prosecutors or legal advisers to determine the existence and application of any such statutes.

Can a defendant waive the 6th amendment?

Said the court, "The defendant may waive the Sixth Amendment right, whether or not he is already represented by counsel; the decision to waive need not itself be counseled. And when a defendant is read his Miranda rights and agrees to waive those rights, that typically does the trick.". (Montejo v. Louisiana)

Can a suspect talk without an attorney?

Instead, the law focuses on whether the suspect is willing to talk without his or her attorney present. Although this is a well established principle dating back at least a quarter of a century, some officers and attorneys (and some judges) still experience uncertainty and nervousness about police interrogation of a represented suspect.

Can a suspect be approached by police?

In another case, the Supreme Court held that even after a suspect is arrested and has been arraigned and has counsel appointed, he can still be approached by police, in the absence of counsel and without any notice to counsel, to see if he is willing to discuss the case.

Can a criminal lawyer talk to a client?

A criminal suspect's lawyer is only doing his job when he calls you during your investigation or after his client's arrest and "instructs" you not to discuss the case with his client unless the lawyer is present. That doesn't mean, however, that you have to follow the attorney's instruction. The Constitution does not forbid you to talk ...