It’s normal to get nervous when approached by the police. But far too often our desire to explain a situation gets us into trouble. That’s why when law enforcement officers come knocking at your door, it’s probably in your best interest to avoid talking to them. Here are some reasons why you should refrain from speaking to the police:
- Nothing good can come of it: A lot of people think that they can explain a situation so that they can absolve themselves of any guilt. But if the police are talking to you, then there’s a good chance that they suspect that you’re involved in some sort of crime. Therefore, your words will be twisted and used against you. Also, police officers don’t have the power to offer you anything. Only a prosecutor can do that.
- An honest mistake can have severe consequences: Law enforcement officers are trained interrogators who know how to ask tricky questions and box you into saying something that you didn’t mean to say. But if you make one slipup while talking to the police, you can’t take that statement back. This means that you could be implicated in a crime simply for misspeaking.
- Confessing limits your defense options: Some people who have been accused of a crime simply want to confess and get the wrongdoing off their chest. But doing so early on in a case makes it extremely difficult to negotiate a more favorable resolution with lighter penalties. By confessing at the onset, you may even destroy a possibility of beating the case altogether.
Protect your interests when dealing with the police
Remember that the main goal of police officers is to gather evidence that is sufficient for prosecutors to obtain a conviction. They can’t make you any promises and they’re not looking out for your interests. They may even trample on your Constitutional rights to get what they want. Don’t let that happen to you. Instead, know that you’re better off by having a competent criminal defense attorney on your side when dealing with the police. Only then can you ensure that your rights and your interests are protected as fully as possible.