A lot of criminal convictions are obtained on the very words spoken by an accused individual, especially when interacting with the police. These admissions are powerful for the prosecution in court, and they’re extremely hard, if not impossible, for you to walk back. Therefore, if you’re being investigated for criminal wrongdoing, you need to be careful about how you interact with the police.
Why you shouldn’t talk to the police
Although you’ll probably come face to face with the police during an investigation, you should really try to avoid talking to them, if at all possible. Here are just a few reasons why:
- The police can’t make good on promises. Although they may tell you that they’ll go easy on you if you give them information or confess, they don’t really have that power. Only a prosecutor can offer some sort of plea deal.
- Your words will be twisted out of context. A lot of people try to talk their way out of suspicion but then end up incriminating themselves because the police get them twisted in their own words.
- A minor slipup may be taken as you trying to hide something. We all mischaracterize things from time to time but doing so when talking to the police can lead them to believe that you’re trying to hide something bigger from them.
- You might want to firm up a plea bargain. Even if you’re guilty of a crime and you want to get it off your chest, you shouldn’t just blurt it out to the police. If you do, they have all the power to charge you and convict you of whatever crime fits. If you withhold your confession until you can talk to the prosecutor, though, you might be able to negotiate a better deal for yourself.
Protect your interests throughout the criminal process
If you’re being investigated for criminal wrongdoing, you’re probably stressed and worried about what the future has in store for you. But regardless of the facts at hand, you might have strong criminal defense options available to you. To determine the best way to approach your case, you might want to discuss your circumstances with an experienced criminal defense attorney who will fight to protect your interests and your future.