Why Do I Need a Lawyer to Talk to the Police in Texas?

officers talking to suspects without a lawyer

When arrested or a suspect in a crime, understanding your rights is essential to protecting yourself. While the police may seem like they’re on your side, this is almost always a method to get you to trust and open up to them. However, in your efforts to prove your innocence, you may accidentally say something to incriminate yourself. Now, you’re facing charges for a crime you had no part of. Keep reading to learn why you should never talk to the police without an attorney and how Houston criminal defense attorneys can help you through this process.

Why Is It a Bad Idea to Talk to the Police Without Legal Representation?

When arrested, the police can lie to you. Though you cannot be dishonest with them, officers can lie and twist the truth to pull answers out of you. For example, if you are accused of stealing from a neighbor, the officers may say they have you on a home security camera in the hopes that you break down and confess when faced with “evidence.” This also occurs when police tell you’ll they’ll make a deal with you if you talk to them. The police are not capable of making deals. However, this is yet another tactic that many may not be aware of if talking to the police without an attorney present.

Similarly, when faced with seemingly innocent questions, you can accidentally answer in the wrong way, meaning you accidentally incriminated yourself.

What Should I Do if the Police Want to Talk to Me?

In many instances, you have the right to remain silent. Most commonly, this is associated with Miranda Rights, or the rights afforded to those who are arrested. However, you can invoke this right in almost all circumstances with the police. For example, if you are stopped on the street, you should ask if you are under arrest or free to leave. If the police produce a summons or arrest you, you must tell them your name or provide identification.

If you are arrested, you should refrain from speaking to the police without an attorney present. Unfortunately, anything you say can and will be used against you, so you should tell the officers you are invoking the right to remain silent and immediately ask for an attorney. After an attorney is present, you can follow their legal advice to continue the interaction.

When you need legal representation, the Gonzalez Law Group is here to help. Regardless of the charges against you, ensuring you contact a criminal defense attorney from our firm and remaining silent is vital to protecting your rights. Contact our law firm to discuss the details of your case with one of our dedicated attorneys today.