When you are under investigation for committing a crime, it can be a very frightening experience. Your future freedom and your reputation may be at stake and your job and relationships may be affected just by virtue of the fact that you are being investigated even if the prosecutor never moves forward with bringing a case.
It is very important that you make smart choices when you are under investigation because you do not want to give law enforcement evidence or information that could be used to secure an indictment or a conviction. This means that you must think carefully about what to do any time you are asked to talk to the police. If police want to question you, it is a smart idea to contact a lawyer.
If you have not been arrested and are asked to talk to the police, you need to think about whether you benefit most from providing information or from remaining silent. Some people are afraid that a refusal to talk to the police can make them look guilty. The reality is that if police have reason to suspect that you committed a crime, they will move forward in their investigation against you whether or not you agree to talk to them. However, if you believe you have evidence that can be used to clear your name and remove yourself from suspicion, then you may want to talk to the police.
If you do decide to speak to law enforcement, you need to be aware that you have the right to remain silent and not answer any questions that could incriminate you. You also have the right to have an attorney present during questioning. You should be sure to exercise the right to be represented by a lawyer. Police will sometimes ask trick questions or use complex interrogating tactics to try to trick you into admitting something that could potentially be used as evidence of a crime. Your lawyer will be on the lookout for any questions that could produce answers that will not look good to a judge or a jury if your case is eventually brought to trial.
Police will also be looking for any inconsistencies in your story or for any facts that do not match up to the evidence that is obtained. If you change your version of events at all from the statements you made when you were being questioned, this could be used to call your credibility into question. You should be sure that you provide only minimal details to answer the police officer’s questions and do not offer any additional information that you have not been asked to offer. The less details you provide to police, the less likely it is that they will find something that they can use to arouse suspicion.
If you have not been arrested and are thinking about talking to the police, contact a lawyer before you act. San Diego criminal defense attorney Domenic J. Lombardo can advise you on whether to answer police questions and can be there with you every time the police interrogate you. Call today to schedule a free and confidential consultation and get the legal assistance you need.
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