why you should never talk to cops without a lawyer

by Isobel Dare PhD 5 min read

Don’t Talk to the Police without a Lawyer for these Reasons: The Police Can Wait It’s not a race or a matter of life and death so the Police can wait for your lawyer to get to you. The fact that they are even trying to convince you to talk without your lawyer should set off some warning bells.

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.

Full Answer

Why shouldn’t you speak to the police without a lawyer?

Discover 10 smart reasons why you shouldn’t speak to the police without a lawyer present. When the police approach you as a suspect, you should not feel the urge to talk your way out of it. They may use lies or threats to convince you to answer their questions or provide your account of events of a crime.

Should I talk to my lawyer during my criminal trial?

Ensure you only speak in the presence of your lawyer. This is because the system does not work to the benefit of suspects since there must be a convicted criminal in each case of crime. It is common to find the police lying to suspects to convince them to waive their right to remain silent.

Will I confess to the police if I have an attorney?

Communications with your attorney are privileged and confidential, and that urge to confess to the police will pass, so keep your lips sealed until your attorney arrives. Once your attorney arrives, he or she will consult with you, then inform the detective that you are represented by counsel and the detective may no longer question you.

What happens if you don’t have a lawyer?

“But not having a lawyer makes you’re incredibly vulnerable,” Oliver said. “Because for one thing, a lawyer might clue you in to an absolutely insane power that police in America have been given by the Supreme Court.”

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When the police approach you as a suspect, should you not feel the urge to talk your way out of it?

When the police approach you as a suspect, you should not feel the urge to talk your way out of it. They may use lies or threats to convince you to answer their questions or provide your account of events of a crime. You should only speak to the police when your lawyer is present.

Why do police lie to suspects?

It is common to find the police lying to suspects to convince them to waive their right to remain silent. They can even attempt to convince you that you do not need a lawyer. You should always remember that it is not safe to talk to the police when your attorney is not present. 3. You Are Not Familiar with the Law.

What does a witness do?

Witnesses are key persons when it comes to solving crimes. They give an account as to what happened and help the police to close in on the suspects. Therefore, a witness may wrongly accuse you of taking part in a crime. If you keep talking, it shall be your words against that of the witness.

What does it mean when the police arrest you?

When the police arrest you, you are the one who has the right to remain silent. The police have no right to demand answers from you.

How long can you be jailed for lying to the police?

Lying to the Police Is a Crime. If you lie to the police, this is a federal crime and it is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years. Although you may know your truth in the situation, hold from speaking your truth and wait to do so in the presence of your attorney.

Do police lay out all the facts?

While conducting an investigation, the police will not lay out all the facts as they interrogate you. They do not owe you that or any other information. Therefore, you should only talk to them in the presence of your lawyer. You may risk a conviction for a crime if you do not stay silent.

Should I speak to the police?

You should only speak to the police when your lawyer is present. In some unfortunate circumstances, you may face police brutality. The police should protect citizens but there are reports of them violating the rights of citizens. Such violation may be in the form of excessive force, harassment, and racial slurs.

What does it mean to be innocent until proven guilty?

This means that they will be actively looking for any evidence to support their theories and not those that show your innocence. With this in mind, distrust any offer or promises they make you without an attorney present. Any promise or deal should be made with and through your attorney.

How long does it take to get charged by the police?

To this end, most states demand that the state (Police) either charge an accused within 72 hours or they have to be released.

Can police talk to you without an attorney?

It’s not a race or a matter of life and death so the Police can wait for your lawyer to get to you. The fact that they are even trying to convince you to talk without your lawyer should set off some warning bells. The more the pressure to talk without an attorney, the more you should resist because the Police know that the law requires your attorney to be present unless you waive that right, which of course you shouldn’t.

Why do the police want to talk to me?

First, the police want to talk to you because you are a suspect in a crime. Second, the police want you to be off your guard. The police want to speak with you when you are nervous and vulnerable. The detective wants you to talk. He or she wants you to slip and blurt things out. They want you to make mistakes so they can use them against you.

When can the police legally begin their interrogation of a suspect?

When police officers make an arrest, they commonly want to interrogate (question) the suspect. Usually, they are trying to make the prosecutor’s case stronger by getting a confession. An interrogation can also lead to other evidence or suspect.

What if I am innocent? Should I still avoid talking to the police without a lawyer?

Yes. An individual should not talk to the police even if they are innocent of the alleged crimes. Law Professor Explains why you should remain silent. Good, honest people tend to believe the best about the police and criminal investigations.

An attorney will know if it is wise to talk to the police

Your criminal defense lawyer will help you decide if you will give your statement to the police. They can assist you with that statement as well.

5 Reasons Having an Attorney Present is Always Best

The police have shown up at your house and said that they need to speak with you. They state you are not a suspect, and you know you did not do anything wrong. Therefore, you will cause yourself no harm by talking with them. This makes sense, right?

Hiring an Attorney Is as Easy as a Phone Call

If police officers are questioning you, innocent or not, you need a lawyer by your side. Contact the attorneys at New Mexico Criminal Law Offices today to see what options you have before answering questions.

What to do if you answer the door?

It's just that simple. If you do answer the door, immediately shut it once you realize they are cops. Do not let the police in your home! You have no obligation to let the cops into your home, and if they have a search warrant then they don't need your permission to enter. Shut the door, lock it, and go to a window.

Do you have to get a warrant for speedy arrest?

If the police arrest you upon "speedy information," i.e., shortly after the alleged crime was reported, then they do not have to get a warrant for your arrest.

Is it disrespectful to not talk to the police?

While this is true, assertion of constitutional rights to not talk, consent to a search, etc., is not disrespect of the police. Another reason is that some people are so dumb that they think they're smarter than the cops and can talk their way out of anything. Never works.

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