If you just met a police officer when you didn’t mean to, you may be in a little trouble. If you talk to the police officer, you may be in a lot of trouble. It isn’t crazy to think about calling for help.
When asked about details of a potential crime your first instinct is to call an attorney, you’re on the right track. If you have to beg, borrow and steal to afford one, do it. Well, beg and borrow anyway, don’t steal. That would just get you into more hot water.
Many people are under the mistaken impression that if they are cooperative with the police, they will be viewed in a much better light. It’s not true, when you are faced with an intimidating officer asking questions, your best policy is “don’t ask me, I’ll never tell.” We’ve all seen the Miranda warning on television. Some hunk of a police officer turns the “perp” around and, while handcuffing the hapless fellow, says “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you…” Believe it. The police will use anything you say against you, and a lot of what people say can easily be misinterpreted, taken out of context or just misquoted.
If you think the police will like you better if you have a harmless little chat with them, you are making a grave mistake. It’s best to call a lawyer and ask for advice before talking to the police. And don’t even think that you can outsmart them, you can’t. You may be tempted to go talk to them, thinking that you will be able to fudge the truth a little, or mislead them in some way. You just can’t. Police officers are pretty smart and they talk to people all day, every day. They can spot a lie from 1,000 yards away. They are schooled in the little “tells” your body gives off that indicate you are not telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Unless you are placed under arrest, you are under no obligation to go with the police if asked. Nope, make them take you into custody if they want to talk to you. Then go call a lawyer, don’t wait. No maybe, just call.
A lawyer experienced in criminal law, as are the professionals of the firm of Richard Tendler, Esq., is your best friend at a critical time like this. You have only one phone call, make it count.