Understanding Your Rights during a Police Investigation
If the police are investigating you, you may think their goal is to mine the truth regarding the underlying matter. In reality, however, the police are fishing for information, and the truth may take a backseat to their preconceived ideas and any evidence they may have.
If this is the difficult situation you find yourself in, there are several important rights that you should know and invoke, and one of the most important is your right to an attorney. Our experienced criminal defense lawyers at Banks, Stubbs & McFarland in Cumming GA, are standing by to help.
You Have the Right to Remain Silent, But You Should Never Lie
If you have been arrested or detained and are being interrogated by the police, you have the right to remain silent, which can go a long way toward bolstering your defense. You cannot, however, lie to the police about anything that is material to the alleged crime in question or to their investigation. Doing so is a crime in and of itself – even if you are completely innocent in relation to the crime you’re being questioned about.
Even answering a question with I don’t know can lead to problems if the police can ultimately prove that you did know. A better approach is to let the police know that you are exercising your right to remain silent. At this point, it’s important to actually remain silent – because anything you do say can be used against you.
The Police Can Lie to You, So You Need a Skilled Attorney
It’s important to point out that, while you cannot lie to the police without potentially facing legal consequences, the police are not required to tell you the truth. In fact, the police can fabricate information regarding all the following:
- Evidence against you
- A confession from someone else that implicates you
- The outcome of a polygraph test
In the heat of the moment and under the pressure of an interrogation that may or may not be based on the facts, veering off course is not unusual. This brings us to your right to an attorney. When you let the officials investigating you know that you want an attorney and that you won’t be doing any talking, you pave the way toward a far better outcome.
You’re Also Protected from Unreasonable Search and Seizure
When it comes to criminal investigations, you’re also protected from unreasonable search and seizure. Generally, a warrant is required before the police can search you, your car, or your home. There are, however, exceptions. An important point to keep in mind is that if the police ask for your permission to search, you should respond, “No.”
Turn to Our Experienced Cumming Criminal Defense Attorneys for the Help You Need
Our Cumming, GA, criminal defense lawyers at Banks, Stubbs & McFarland dedicate our practice to fierce advocacy on behalf of our clients, and we’re here for you, too. Learn more about what we can do to help by contacting us online or calling us at 770-887-1209 today.