If a law enforcement officer arrests you for an alleged crime, they make take you into custody for questioning. You must not mistakenly or accidentally incriminate yourself during this time. Continue reading to learn how to protect your rights during police interrogations and how an experienced Kaufman County, Texas criminal defense lawyer at Harrell & Paulson, LLP can represent you.
What Are My Rights During an Arrest?
As you are being handcuffed and taken into custody, a law enforcement officer is required to recite your Miranda Rights. This essentially serves as a warning for the following:
You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
You have the right to an attorney.
If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you.
If you decide to answer questions without an attorney present, you have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to an attorney.
You may have heard variations of this warning in TV shows or movies. This is because federal law requires that this step always be taken at the initiation of an arrest. Any statements that you have made before you were given a Miranda Warning are considered to be inadmissible in your criminal proceedings.
In What Ways Can I Protect My Rights During Police Interrogations?
Once you are taken into police custody for interrogations, you must remember that your rights still exist. That is, you retain the right to remain silent, so you cannot be forced to converse with them. It may be difficult to navigate past a law enforcement officer’s tactics to get you to talk. Nonetheless, it is recommended that you keep the following tips in mind:
Do not let a law enforcement officer convince you that you are required to answer their questions.
Do not let a law enforcement officer convince you that you will be treated better if you cooperate with them.
Do not let a law enforcement officer convince you that you will get a lower sentence or reduced penalties if you admit guilt.
Contrastingly, a tactic that is legal for law enforcement officers is to use deceit to their advantage during their interrogations. For example, if you and another individual are suspected of criminal activity, they are allowed to lie and say that one of you has already admitted guilt.
On top of this, you retain the right to have an attorney present. So you should share information with an attorney before a law enforcement officer.
With all that being said, you must make a valiant effort towards protecting your rights. Reach out to a skilled Kaufman County, Texas criminal defense lawyer at Harrell & Paulson, LLP to learn how to get started on your defense strategy.
