What to Say (and Not to Say) to Police After an Arrest

You have been arrested by police. You are being accused of a crime and you want to tell them what really happened. Should you talk to them?

Some people do and live to regret it. You may feel as though you should answer a police officer’s questions as a matter of respect, but you have to remember one thing: What you say can and will be used against you.

A police officer may pull you over and ask you a bunch of questions. Do you know why you were pulled over? Where do you live? Where are you going?

The answers to these questions may be clear to you, but police officers can use your responses against you. They can use your words in a way to make you sound like a bad person. You may not have even done anything wrong, but you could effectively end up arrested and in jail.

So what do you do when police are questioning you? Here’s a guide to what to say and what not to say.

What to Say

You do not have to answer any questions. Keep in mind that you have the right to remain silent. If you wish to exercise your right to remain silent, say you wish to remain silent. Ask for a lawyer immediately. You don’t have to explain why or give any excuses. Don’t say anything without a lawyer present. If the police continue to question you, state “I will not speak without my attorney present.” This ensures that you are not coerced into making any statements that could harm your case.

 What Not to Say

There are a lot of things you should not say. You should focus on remaining silent. Do not answer any questions, no matter how innocent they may seem.

Keep in mind that you have the right to make a local phone call. The police cannot listen if you call a lawyer, but they have the right to listen if you call anyone else. Therefore, if you call a family member or friend, be sure not to tell them any details about your case because those statements can be used to show your involvement, knowledge, or admissions to a crime.

You should also refrain from making any deals with the police. They may try to offer you some sort of plea deal, but you should avoid any sort of agreement, especially before consulting with your attorney.

Do not yell or curse at a police officer. Do not assault them or threaten them in any way. Be calm and respectful, but be firm in your resolve to request a lawyer and not speak about your situation if they try to get you to talk.

Contact Us Today 

After an arrest, the police may try to coerce you into talking and saying something incriminating. Make sure you understand your legal rights so you can protect yourself.

Before you say anything to the police, contact a Fort Myers criminal defense attorney from Hollander & Hanuka. We will help defend you and talk to the police. Call (239) 332-3300 to schedule a consultation.

Source:

aclu.org/know-your-rights/stopped-by-police#:~:text=Say%20you%20wish%20to%20remain,if%20you%20call%20anyone%20else.