No one ever expects to be the subject of a police investigation, but it happens, and most people are not prepared for what that means. Did you know that in Minnesota and elsewhere, there are four words that can stop the interview side of a police interrogation in its tracks? Those words are, “I want an attorney.”
Miranda rights
You’ve likely heard the Miranda warning before — if not in person, in television shows or in movies. The Miranda warning explains your rights if arrested. They include the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. You cannot be forced to speak to police, and the minute you ask for an attorney, the interrogation must stop, and an attorney of your choice or a public defender provided.
The sooner you say these words, the better
The sooner you ask to speak to an attorney, the better. Speaking to police on your own may not prove as simple a task as you might think. You may end up doing more harm than good. It just isn’t worth it.
It is not a sign of guilt
Asking to have an attorney present during an interrogation is not a sign of guilt. It just shows police, whether in Minnesota or elsewhere, that you know and understand your rights and that you want to protect yourself. Don’t be afraid to assert your rights. To learn more about the Miranda Warning and how having legal counsel at your side during an interrogation can be to your benefit, please take a moment and visit our firm’s website.
