One of the most common questions the attorneys at Aguilar & Sieron, P.A. get from people being investigated by law enforcement is whether or not they should talk. If you are being questioned during a pre-arrest investigation, you should immediately speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney who can counsel you on your rights.
Police will conduct a pre-arrest investigation when they suspect that a crime has been committed. During an investigation, they will question suspects and witnesses and determine if an arrest should be made. Waiting until an arrest makes it difficult to fight the charges in court. Below, we discuss how to avoid giving police evidence to arrest you and charge you with a crime.
Talking during a pre-arrest investigation can hurt you
When police conduct a pre-arrest investigation, their motive is to gather adequate evidence before making an arrest. In many cases, they get the right suspects. But sometimes, innocent people face criminal charges simply for talking. If you decide to talk to the police, you are giving up a very important right. That's your right to remain silent, which can save you a lot of legal trouble if you practice it.
Police often appear friendly and innocuous when questioning suspects. You may be 100 percent aware that you're innocent. But if you try to argue your innocence, you could say the wrong thing. Police often misinterpret seemingly harmless statements as admitting guilt.
Once you make a statement to police, there's no taking it back. It can be used against you in court if you're arrested and charged with a crime. Building a strong legal defense in your criminal case starts with invoking your right to remain silent. If police come to your doorstep or visit you at work, you have the right to politely refuse to answer questions. Be sure to tell law enforcement that you don't wish to answer any questions without an attorney present.
How can a criminal defense lawyer help me during a pre-arrest investigation?
Our Florida criminal defense attorneys can begin building a strong legal defense during the early stages of an investigation. We will ensure that your rights are protected and that you take the necessary steps to reduce the likelihood of being charged and convicted of a crime. Here's how we can help protect your rights:
- Speak with law enforcement on your behalf to avoid an arrest
- Work to prevent police from filing charges against you
- Reduce the charges should you be arrested
- Assist you during a "surprise" arrest at work or when your family is present
- Get your criminal case on a pre-trial diversion program (this could possibly result in your charges being dropped)
The attorneys at Aguilar & Sieron, P.A. are former prosecutors. We know how the justice system works and have seen how easily the lives of innocent people can be changed for the worse. We don't want that to happen to you. When you hire us, you can rest assured that we'll work tirelessly to defend your rights and ensure that you're treated fairly in the justice system. We serve clients in Clay County and throughout northeast Florida. Contact us online or call us to find out how we can help you.