When police officers want to ask you questions – whether they pull you over in traffic, appear at your home or workplace, or approach you somewhere else – exercise your right to remain silent. If you are being questioned, if you’re under investigation, or if you are charged with a crime in Texas, you must remain silent, and you must have legal help at once.
The answer to “How should you prepare for a police interrogation?” is very simple. You don’t. Do not talk to the police if you are being interrogated about a crime, if you are suspected of a crime, or quite frankly, under any other circumstances.
You Must Have Your Lawyer Present
Never speak to the police without your lawyer at your side. It’s just as simple as that. You have the right to remain silent, and you should exercise it. Until your lawyer can be present, just politely say something like, “I would prefer to exercise my right to remain silent,” and nothing more. If you’re free to walk away – free to go – do it.
Then, contact an experienced Texas criminal defense lawyer. You’re going to need one. In San Marcos, New Braunfels, and nearby communities, contact San Marcos criminal defense attorney David C. Hardaway. He will determine if you are under investigation or if there is a warrant for your arrest, and he will advise you regarding your rights, options, and the best way to proceed.
Why is Your Right to Remain Silent So Important?
Your right to remain silent is established and guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution’s Fifth Amendment. Because anything you say to the police can be used against you, you have the right to say nothing.
There are all types of ways – legal ways – that the police can and will trick you during an interrogation. They’re allowed to lie. We’ve all seen the TV cop shows where Kojak or Columbo tricks a suspect into confessing a crime or revealing the key piece of evidence.
Even if you are the one calling the police – let’s say, to report that your car has been stolen – say as little as possible and never more than is absolutely necessary. Be polite, but never try to ingratiate yourself with a police officer. No small talk about sports or the weather. Just don’t do it.
Should You Ever Lie to the Police?
Finally, it is always better to say nothing to a police officer than it is to tell a lie. Police officers are trained to focus on your eyes, your tone of voice, and your body language. They can’t read minds, but they can tell when most people are lying.
It’s not necessarily a crime to lie to a police officer in Texas – unless you are committing perjury or making a false police report – but if you lie to an officer who is investigating you, it cannot help you.
If the police question you, say nothing and contact San Marcos criminal defense attorney David C. Hardaway at once. If you are suspected of a crime, say nothing to the police, and contact attorney David C. Hardaway at once. Call his law offices in San Marcos at (512) 846-9966 to schedule a consultation. He will investigate the matter, and he will resolve it on your behalf.
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