During police interrogations, cops try to throw off their suspects. They want them to answer questions in ways that could implicate them in crimes. You have rights when the cops are questioning you though, and you should always remember those rights. If you are being interrogated by the cops, you do not need to cooperate with them and risk having your words turned against you. Instead, you need to take steps to protect yourself and your rights, and hiring a Memphis criminal defense attorney from our firm can help you do that.
Should I Remain Silent During Police Interrogations?
If you have ever watched a cop show, you have heard the phrase “You have the right to remain silent.” This is not just something that TV writers made up. You have the constitutional right to avoid incriminating yourself. That means that staying silent during police interrogations is not just allowed, but it may be your best option.
Do Police Have to Tell the Truth During Interrogations?
We suggest staying silent because police interrogations can be tricky. A big issue is that cops are actually not under any obligation to tell the truth when dealing with criminal suspects. They can lie right to your face and attempt to trip you up. They want you to reveal something that they can use against you.
There are numerous ways that they can do this. A cop could tell you that your coconspirator has already flipped on you, and that if you cooperate then they might be able to work out a lesser sentence. They could tell you that they have evidence that you were at a crime scene, even if you were not there. The playing field in police interrogations is incredibly unbalanced, but there is one thing that you can do to make things a bit more fair.
Should I Have a Lawyer With Me During Police Interrogations?
We are talking about hiring an attorney. An experienced defense attorney can help you deal with all of the pitfalls of the typical police interrogation. You should only share any information that you have with your lawyer. They can decide how you should deal with the police and their questions.
You have the right to an attorney. Once you ask for your attorney, the cops cannot continue to question you. If they do, anything that they get from you can be thrown out in court. Even if you sincerely believe that you did nothing wrong, having a lawyer with you during police interrogations is just the smart move.
Talk to Our Legal Team Today
When you are being questioned by the police, you should make calling a lawyer your first priority. Contact Ballin, Ballin & Fishman, PC and schedule a consultation with our team. We can tell you more about what we can do for you.
