(1) Do not call back. You are going to be sucked into a conversation by a trained professional that will result in you making statements that could hurt you. Even the casual viewer of Law & Order knows: the police have ways of making you talk.
(2) If you get directly confronted on the phone or in person, politely say "I'm not going to talk to you without a lawyer." You must be firm. Do not worry about offending or getting into more trouble by not talking; this is business – it’s not personal. Remember: they will attempt to persuade you that you do not need a lawyer. Do not listen. Do not get sucked in. Insist on a lawyer being present.
(3) Many times the detective will use a family member to try to convince you that speaking with them is in your best interest. Again, this is a tactic designed for the sole purpose of obtaining information or damning confessions from you. Politely tell your family member that you need to consult with a lawyer first.
(4) You will be told that by not speaking that you are making yourself a suspect and not a witness. You will also be told that lawyers just want your money. You will absolutely be told that if you don’t cooperate, you’re going to make things harder on yourself. Each of these psychological tactics are deliberated designed to question your confidence in your decision to speak with a lawyer first. Think about what police officers do when they are accused of misconduct: do they talk or do they shut up and get a lawyer?
(5) This situation should be considered an emergency.
Okay, I got it. Don't talk without a lawyer present. What do I do next? |
