Guess What? You Can Tell A Police Officer To Pound Sand
It is easy to talk tough when sitting behind a desk writing a note. But when a police officer is standing right there, hand on his gun, lights flashing and looking for all intents and purposes like Clint Eastwood, everyone's heart pounds.
But you do not have to answer questions about allegations against you. And you do not have to answer questions about an investigation unrelated to you.
Why would a person not answer questions? The officer might tell you that doing so will help you out. He might promise to make the prosecutor aware of your cooperation. He may suggest that only guilty people have something to hide. Why not talk? Isn't confession good for the soul.
Rule number one: Criminal law is not about religion, redemption or the soul. It is a simple contest of whether the state can meet its burden of proving its case against a defendant. If you are that defendant, why would you help the state make its case against you? Tend to your soul in a church on wherever you find grace, but trust me when I tell you both body and soul will rot in a small cell without so much as a tear being shed by the arresting officer.
So here is what to do if a police officer wants to talk to you. I will put it in quotes so you can memorize it: "I do not want to talk to you without my lawyer present." Don't be mealy mouthed. Don't say "I think I want a lawyer." Don't suggest that it would be nice to have a lawyer. Tell the officer in words that can have one meaning and one meaning only. "I do not want to talk to you without my lawyer present."
And if you need a lawyer to take it from there, give us a call. Good luck out there.
