Stop! Do Not Talk to the Police Unless You Have Read This

When the police come knocking on your door wanting you to talk to you, you may be tempted to cooperate out of fear. Unfortunately, however, talking to the police is usually not a good idea, even if you are innocent. It is crucial to remember that you do not have to talk to the police if you do not want to. Consulting with an attorney can help you protect your legal rights during these difficult situations.

Reasons Not to Talk to the Police When Accused of a Crime

It is usually a bad idea to talk to the police without your attorney for the following reasons:

1. Talking to the police will not help you avoid an arrest. If they are talking to you, it’s generally because they suspect you have committed a crime. If they have evidence to suggest that you are guilty, they will arrest you regardless of whether or not you provide a statement.
2. You may be tempted to plead guilty. Even if you are guilty, confessing is not a good idea without talking to your lawyer first. There may be mitigating factors that justify a lesser charge. If you confess to the police, however, you may lose your opportunity to obtain a lesser sentence.
3. You may lie to try to protect yourself. If you tell a lie or exaggerate about an insignificant fact, it could later be used to discredit everything you say.
4. You may hurt your defense. You may inadvertently give the police some information that can be used against you.
5. The police may misrepresent your statement. The police may not recall your statement with perfect accuracy.
6. You may say too much. You may make an innocent assumption about a fact or detail that can be used by police to say that you could only know that information if you were guilty of committing the crime.
7. You may not know all the details. You may make a statement that can be proven to be false, even if you believed it to be true, which can then be used against you.
8. You may give up your ability to plea bargain. The police are not able to make deals or offer you leniency in exchange for giving them a statement.
9. You will have to repeat the information accurately. It is difficult to tell the same story twice in exactly the same way. This can then be used to discredit you.

 If you are accused of committing a crime, it is crucial that you seek guidance from a knowledgeable and experienced legal professional. We encourage you to contact us today for more information at 888-386-3898.