Norm Pattis says no: never. It's an interesting post (hat tip to Mirriam Seddiq of Not Guilty) and generally true. Even when you think you didn't do anything, talking to the police when it seems they suspect you is generally not a good idea. You can never be sure how they'll use what you say against you, but they almost always will.
Make friends with a criminal defense lawyer, or have a local legal aid center's number in your cell phone (assuming you can't afford to hire your own lawyer.) Talk to them if it seems like the police suspect you. They'll know, better than you, how the cops will react to your story.
The obvious exception is minor cases like speeding tickets that you don't intend to fight. There, admitting what you did to the police could help get you a warning (although "I'm sorry officer, I must not have been paying attention" should work as well as an actual acknowledgment.) But once you get into more serious offenses, the risk outweighs the possible rewards.
If you're concerned about the police taking a refusal to speak to them the wrong way, just remember to always be polite to them. "I'm really sorry officer: I know you're just doing your job, but my lawyer tells me never to talk to police without talking to him first. I don't have anything against you."Most Police officers are human beings, and reasonable ones will understand that wanting to speak to a lawyer doesn't imply guilt. What will annoy them is "Get outta my face! I know my rights! I want a lawyer!"
If you missed it, also check out this post about how to deal with police encounters.
Make friends with a criminal defense lawyer, or have a local legal aid center's number in your cell phone (assuming you can't afford to hire your own lawyer.) Talk to them if it seems like the police suspect you. They'll know, better than you, how the cops will react to your story.
The obvious exception is minor cases like speeding tickets that you don't intend to fight. There, admitting what you did to the police could help get you a warning (although "I'm sorry officer, I must not have been paying attention" should work as well as an actual acknowledgment.) But once you get into more serious offenses, the risk outweighs the possible rewards.
If you're concerned about the police taking a refusal to speak to them the wrong way, just remember to always be polite to them. "I'm really sorry officer: I know you're just doing your job, but my lawyer tells me never to talk to police without talking to him first. I don't have anything against you."
If you missed it, also check out this post about how to deal with police encounters.
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