A detective calls. He just wants to ask you some questions. (He wants to interrogate you.)

The detective will never use the word "interrogate". He knows it conjures up "the third degree", phone books slammed into ribs, and other nightmare cop-show images. Instead, the detective says he wants to "talk".

The detective's choice of words doesn't change a thing. He wants to interrogate you. He wants to persuade you to tell him everything you know. The problem for you is that the detective will only believe you if you confess to a crime.

Always remember: if police want to speak with you, then you don't want to speak with them.

The police will arrest you, no matter what you say. Of course, they won't tell you this. They might even encourage you to believe otherwise. The police want to speak with you because they already possess evidence that you committed a crime: even if you didn't commit a crime, the police possess evidence tending to prove that you did.

For example, if one "witness" told them you committed a crime, the police have enough evidence to arrest you. It doesn't matter if that one witness is your mortal enemy; if that one witness has a financial incentive to falsely accuse you; if that one witness is a known liar. No matter how innocent you are, you're not talking your way out of getting arrested.

Since the police will arrest you no matter you say, do not, under any circumstances, speak with police without having a lawyer physically present with you. (Being present is the only way your lawyer can cover your mouth with his hands to prevent you from speaking.)

You have the constitutional right to remain silent. Use it. Always. No exceptions. If your lawyer isn't present, keep your lips sealed. (And don't write anything down, or use body language, either.)

There is nothing the police would like better than to get you talking. However, there are an unlimited number of ways in which a conversation with police can go wrong – for you, not the police. For example:

You might confess to a crime that you actually committed.

If you ever feel the need, confess to your lawyer; no one else. Communications with your lawyer about crimes committed in the past are privileged and confidential: your lawyer may not repeat your confession to anyone. Once the urge to confess has passed (it will), you will be happy and relieved that this rule exists. Confess to your lawyer and no one else; relieve your conscience without going to jail. If you wish, you can hire one lawyer to confess to and a second lawyer to defend you.

You might admit one or more facts that tend to prove you guilty.

For example, you might admit being present when the incident occurred; you might admit knowing the complainant; you might admit having had consensual sex with the complainant; you might admit having stabbed the complainant, in self-defense. Each of these admissions is a nail in your coffin. Instead, consider letting the police build their case without any help from you.

You might lie to the detective.

Every innocent person knows of at least one fact that makes his guilt appear more likely. The temptation to lie about such facts is great. However, lying to the police is a really bad idea. If one lie can be disproved, the prosecutor will have a basis to persuade the jury at your trial that your lie proves "consciousness of guilt" – that is, a) you lied to hide your guilt, and b) only guilty people do that. This would be an unfortunate turn of events, especially if you're innocent. (Notice from these last two examples, whether you lie or tell the truth, you're worse off than if you'd said nothing.)

The detective might misunderstand you.

You don't have a constitutional right to be interrogated by an unbiased detective with perfect listening skills. And let's be frank, you don't always express yourself with precision. If something gets lost in translation (it will), you and only you will pay the price.

The detective might not remember everything you say.

How could he? He didn't record your conversation. He didn't even take notes. In fact, he didn't begin writing anything down until an hour after he finished speaking with you. Unfortunately, he will tend to remember the parts of your conversation consistent with guilt, and he will tend to forget the parts consistent with innocence. That's because his goal in speaking with you is to prove you're guilty, not to determine the truth.

The detective might lie about your statement.

Let's face it, solving crimes is hard work, and the NYPD has a lot of crimes to solve. For the detective who interrogates you, perhaps the temptation to "solve" the case by inventing evidence – from words you never spoke – will be irresistible. The detective might falsely claim you made incriminating statements that in fact you never made. This happens a lot more than you would imagine.

You might confess to a crime you didn't commit.

Detectives are trained (formally and informally) to use time-tested techniques designed to elicit confessions. These techniques include deceit, false promises, physical force, threats, sleep deprivation, bathroom deprivation, and other forms of psychological coercion. These techniques are so effective that they often cause innocent people to confess to crimes they didn't commit. (After mistaken identification, "false confession" is perhaps the greatest cause of wrongful convictions in the United States.)

Fortunately, you have the constitutional "right to remain silent", also known as "the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination": your refusal to speak with police can't be used against you in a criminal case.

Exercise the privilege. Never speak with police who are investigating you. You shouldn't lie to the police, but you can, and always should, remain silent. You would be shocked at how many people fail to heed this simple advice, which requires only that they say nothing.

Say Nothing. Not One Thing: What Could Be Simpler?

When you retain a lawyer, the lawyer should thoroughly consult with you, contact the detective, and inform the detective not to speak with you. By doing this, your lawyer will prevent the detective from legally questioning you. However, in the event the detective illegally questions you, you must remain vigilant and not answer any questions when your lawyer isn't present.

When your lawyer tells the detective not to question you, the detective will most likely tell the lawyer that he now intends to arrest you. Don't use this turn of events as an excuse to start speaking!

The detective always intended to arrest you. However, he was going to try to speak with you first, hoping to strengthen the case against you. Then he was going to arrest you. Don't think for a moment that the detective decided to arrest you because your lawyer wouldn't let him question you, or because you asked to speak with a lawyer, or because you refused to speak.

After you "lawyer up", your lawyer will arrange for you to turn yourself in ("voluntarily surrender") within the next few days. Voluntary surrender involves meeting the detective at his office at a predetermined time, to be formally arrested. At your lawyer's request, the detective will not question you, other than to ask for "pedigree information" (name, address, date of birth, etc.). The detective will also fingerprint you and take an arrest photograph.

Voluntary surrender is far better than being arrested on the street. First, voluntary surrender eliminates the need for police to forcibly arrest you. Second, it demonstrates that you're not a risk of flight; so at arraignment, the Court will be more inclined to release you on your own recognizance, or to set low bail. Third, it reduces time spent in police custody before you see a judge.

If the police want to question you or arrest you, contact me immediately. Over the years, I have successfully intervened on behalf of many clients.

Call me now at 646-360-0290. Arrange a FREE confidential consultation today.