If you’re a suspect in an investigation, there’s a good chance you’ll be contacted by a detective to discuss the allegations against you. Most likely, a lot of questions will start running through the head. Do I have to talk to them? What will they ask me? If I have nothing to hide, I should go in to clear the air, right? It’s not that simple. Willingly talking to a detective gives them the opportunity to use anything you say – and maybe didn’t mean to say – against you. Before you’re questioned by the police, it’s important to be prepared. So, here’s what you need to know.
Know the Situation You’re In
There are actually 3 types of police questioning. Each provide the accused with different rights and obligations from the officers.
- Voluntary Encounters – consensual questioning that can end at any time and don’t permit a search by an officer
- Investigative Detentions – brief 20-minute questionings in which the accused cannot leave immediately and can be frisked by an officer
- Arrests – when arrested, the accused’s rights are very limited; they may be frisked, forced to show ID, or even taken to jail under certain circumstances.
Both investigative detentions and arrests require a certain amount of evidence from the officer, beyond “reasonable suspicion.” In order to arrest or search your you, they must have “probable cause,” but knowing the amount of evidence the officer has against you isn’t always obvious, so it’s important to ask why you are being questioned before anything else.
Remember the Numbers 4, 5 & 6
Law school prepares a defense lawyer to defend against actions. Defending against certain comments that were made during a “friendly chat” with a detective is a lot harder. That’s why when you’re contacted by an officer, it’s crucial to remember you Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights; you’re protected from unreasonable search and seizure, you don’t have to be subject to criminal prosecution and punishment without due process with the right to remain silent, and you have the right to a speedy trial by a jury of your peers.
By saying you want to contact an attorney, you’re not admitting guilt, but simply exercising your rights protected under the Constitution.
There’s No Such Thing as a Casual Chat
Nothing good will come from a friendly conversation with an officer. If you’re called in “just to talk,” it’s more than likely you are a suspect in the crime, and they’re seeking a way to find evidence against you. These investigators and detectives are trained and very skilled in techniques that elicit a confession. They don’t have your best interest in mind and will do and say what they can to get the information they can use against you in court.
You Have to Tell the Truth, But They Don’t
First and foremost, if a detective tells you that by refusing to answer their questions will hurt your case, it’s not true. In fact, police are experts in manipulation and will even lie about having certain evidence against you or an eyewitness in order to scare you into a half-baked confession. Repetitive questions and incriminating statements, even facial expressions and body language, are all persuasion tactics they’ll use to wear you down.
Under that type of pressure, it’s easy to say something you may regret. You’re familiar with the saying, “anything you say can be used against you in a court of law,” and that is one thing an officer will tell you that is absolutely true. So, don’t fall for the other stuff. Ask to speak to your lawyer before anything else, so they can prepare you for the best defense strategy and get you out of the situation sooner.
Reduce Your Risk of Suspicion
There are so many reasons why an accused person would ask to speak to a lawyer. So don’t be afraid of making yourself seem more suspicious by doing so. It’s your best chance at avoiding the worst possible scenario. There are some other questions you can do as well to help reduce your exposure to suspicion while under investigation.
- Ask if you are free to leave
- Ask why they are questioning you
- Be polite and respectful
- Keep your hands in plain sight
That first one is most important. By not asking if you are free to go, police will assume you want to stay and keep the investigation going.
Lawyer Up
We really can’t stress enough the importance of contacting an experienced defense lawyer before answering any questions under interrogation. An attorney has the knowledge and expertise to get you out of a high-pressure situation and prepare you for what’s to come. Contact our criminal defense attorneys before you talk to the police to get the experience and skills you need to protect your rights and negotiate the best possible outcome for you.