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3 Reasons To Hire A Lawyer Before Talking To Police

Have the police contacted you about your potential involvement in a crime? Would they like to speak to you about the crime and your knowledge? If so, this is probably a scary time. You don't know if you're a suspect in the crime, and the police have no obligation to tell you whether you're a suspect. Even if you are innocent, talking to the police about a crime can be stressful. It's wise to contact a lawyer before you talk to the police, even if you are not guilty of a crime. Below are three ways the lawyer can help you navigate the interview process.

Police only need probable cause to make an arrest. Many people think there's no harm in talking to the police if they are innocent. They assume that all they have to do is not confess. However, the goal of the police in an interview is not to get a confession but to obtain enough information to establish probable cause. They only need you to provide enough information, making it more likely that you committed the crime. Once they have that information, they can obtain a warrant for your arrest. It only takes one misstatement for police to believe they have probable cause to arrest you. A lawyer can help you avoid certain questions, maintain your right to silence, and provide correct, factual information.

A lawyer can protect you from baiting questions. Did you know it is legal for the police to lie to you during an interrogation? For example, they could tell you they already have incriminating evidence against you when they actually do not. Police often use these tactics to elicit a confession or other information. An experienced lawyer will recognize these tactics. They can advise you not to answer certain questions, or they can ask the police to demonstrate any proof they have. With a lawyer present, you can minimize the odds of falling into an interrogation trap.

They can explore your options. Perhaps you do have knowledge about a crime, and you are even guilty of a crime, but you aren't the primary responsible party. Your knowledge may be helpful to the police in solving the crime. A lawyer can work on your behalf with the police and the prosecution to negotiate a deal for your information. You may be given immunity for your information, or you may be able to plea to a lesser crime for a reduced sentence. Without a lawyer, it's difficult to have these conversations with the police and prosecution.

Don't go into your interview alone. Contact a criminal law attorney in your area today.