When you’re under investigation for criminal wrongdoing, it can be tempting to sit down with police and explain the situation in hopes of dispelling any suspicions that may be circling you. But doing so could be a tragic mistake that only enhances the state’s ability to effectively prosecute you. That said, let’s look at why it’s risky to talk to the police when you’re under investigation so that you know what to expect as you navigate your interactions with law enforcement.
The risks of talking to the police
The police are tasked with investigating crimes and arresting those who commit them. Therefore, if they suspect that you’ve committed an offense, then they’re going to do everything they can to try to build a case against you. If you sit down to interact with them, then, you might be subjected to the following tactics:
- Lying about evidence against you to try to get you talking to explain it away
- Threatening you and your family members in hopes that you’ll confess to the crime
- Twisting your words out of context to make it seem like you’ve said something that you actually didn’t say
- Promising to offer you lighter charges or less harsh penalties in exchange for a confession when they really don’t have the power to cut those deals
- They might fail to advise you of your rights
As you can see, there’s a lot of risk when talking to the police in your criminal case, which is why it’s best to hold off interacting with them until you can discuss the matter with your attorney.
Protect your interests throughout the criminal investigation process
You need an effective criminal defense strategy throughout every aspect of a criminal investigation and any resulting prosecution. That’s why now is the best time to start thinking through your options and how you can use the law to shield you from aggressive police and prosecutorial tactics.