If you have been arrested and charged for a crime, this can be an incredibly scary experience. This is particularly true if you honestly have no idea why you have been arrested or charged. When this happens, many people instinctively want to talk to law enforcement officials or prosecutors in an effort to clear their names. However, even if you are convinced of your innocence, speaking to the police without an attorney present is a mistake. At Okabe & Haushalter, our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys want to discuss why it is so critical that you request an attorney as soon as you have been arrested and charged with a crime.
Most people have heard the advice that you should never speak to the police without an attorney present. While it may be acceptable in some situations to communicate with law enforcement, the advice not to speak without an attorney present is particularly relevant if you are under investigation, have been placed under arrest, or have been charged with a crime. When they say that “you have the right to remain silent” and that “anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law,” they mean it.
However, when it comes down to it, most people think this is good advice for people who may have committed a crime. In reality, this advice needs to be applied to anybody who is under investigation or charged with a crime, even if they are convinced they are innocent of the charges.
You do not want to accidentally slip up and make an unintentional confession, or even give the appearance of a confession, that could be used by prosecutors to gain a conviction.
If the police are talking to you or questioning you about possible involvement in a crime, it is important to understand that they are looking for evidence to back up their case. They are not looking for evidence to exonerate you. Chances are, you are already a suspect of alleged criminal activity, so they are going to take anything you say that could back up their claim and use it against you.
One of the most important factors to remember when considering whether or not to seek an attorney if you have been caught charged with the crime is this – the people asking you questions are trained investigators, and they know what it takes to throw someone off balance during an interrogation. Even a person who has not committed a crime could find that their words are manipulated into some semblance of a confession.
If you or somebody you love has been arrested and charged with a crime, you need to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. Do not talk to law enforcement officials or prosecutors before you get a consultation with a skilled criminal defense attorney. At Okabe & Haushalter, we have extensive experience handling all levels of criminal charges, and we are ready to get to work on your behalf. Our goal is to investigate the charges against you in an effort to get them reduced or dismissed altogether. When you need a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case today by clicking here or calling 310-543-7708.
