If the police suspect that you’ve engaged in criminal wrongdoing, they’re going to do everything in their power to try to get you to talk. Ultimately, their goal is to get a confession that they can turn over to the prosecutor for a quick conviction. That’s why it’s almost always best to avoid talking to the police without a criminal defense attorney by your side.
How the police will try to trick you
Police officers and investigators have a job to do, and they’re given a lot of leeway to do it. This means that the police will probably try to manipulate you to get what they want. Here are some of the biggest reasons why you should avoid talking to the police:
- The police can’t help you: Investigators might tell you that they’ll let you off easy if you just fess up, but the truth of the matter is that law enforcement doesn’t have the authority to offer you plea deal. Those decisions are left to the discretion of the prosecutor.
- The police will lie to you: Remember, the police’s main goal is to get you to talk. To do so, they might lie to you about anything and everything. They might indicate that they have other evidence against you or that someone else has implicated you in the crime. Investigators are given a lot of room in their questioning, which means that they can get away with this behavior. Don’t fall for this trick.
- The police are not your friend: Sometimes the police will try to act as if they’re simply looking for help figuring out how a crime was committed. As a result, they might try to buddy up to you to make you more comfortable talking. But even if you aren’t being subjected to custodial interrogation, your words can be twisted, taken out of context, and used against you.
- You can’t help yourself: A lot of people end up talking themselves into trouble. They think that they can explain a situation or their involvement in an event in such a way that the police will see that they’re innocent and thus will leave them alone. Unfortunately, the police might misconstrue something that you say or take it out of context, which may leave you looking suspicious.
- The police will try to work around your rights: You have an absolute right to remain silent. However, the police are required only to inform you of that right and your right to an attorney when you’re questioned while in custody, meaning that you’re not free to leave during the questioning. Therefore, in order to get around your Miranda rights, law enforcement officers may try to engage you outside of a custodial setting, such as in a public place or even your residence.
Know how to protect yourself during the investigatory stage
Building your criminal defense starts with police involvement, not once criminal charges are levied against you. Therefore, if the police have contacted you to inquire about an alleged crime, then now is the time to start thinking about what you can do to defend yourself from overly aggressive police tactics.
An attorney who is experienced in criminal defense can help guide you through the process while diligently working to protect your rights and your interests. By crafting a compelling legal strategy, your criminal defense attorney can maximize your chances of avoiding prosecution or beating the charges that you face.