Why do lawyers say don't talk to police?
Asked by: Jalyn Prosacco | Last update: January 7, 2026Score: 5/5 (2 votes)
Anything You Say Can Be Used Against You. The
Why do people say don't talk to the police?
The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution gives you the right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You should exercise this right and never, under any circumstances, speak to a police officer. Invoke your 5th Amendment right by stating you do not wish to talk without first consulting a lawyer.
Why do lawyers tell you to not talk about your case?
They do not want to hear a story - they need details that are reliable and can be back up with indisputable facts in a court of law . This is why they interup so much because this simply means that they are not hearing from you what they need to hear in order to decide if you have a case or not .
Should you ever talk to the police?
No. Call a criminal defense attorney in your area now. You should never talk to police without an attorney present, and only if you are advised by an attorney to give a statement. Police officers may lie to you to get you to start talking.
Do lawyers have to tell the police?
We certainly can't tell the police our client admitted to committing a completed crime. However, if they've committed a crime in anticipation of a future crime, we're obligated to tell them. For instance, if my client admitted they killed a person, I can't tell the cops about that.
Caught on Dash Cam: Police Officer Lying!
Can you say I don't answer questions to a cop?
Do I have to answer questions asked by law enforcement officers? No. You have the constitutional right to remain silent. In general, you do not have to talk to law enforcement officers (or anyone else), even if you do not feel free to walk away from the officer, you are arrested, or you are in jail.
Can lawyers see police reports?
Yes, lawyers can typically obtain police reports on behalf of their clients. They have the legal knowledge and experience to navigate the procedures for requesting these documents from the relevant authorities.
Can you talk bad to a cop?
Words alone—even profane, offensive, and insulting ones—directed at police generally won't be enough for disorderly conduct charges. These words are protected under the First Amendment.
What do the police not want you to know?
Right to Remain Silent
This right is probably the most known of all. You have the right to remain silent when being questioned by the police. Anything you say or do can be used against you. You have the right to have legal representation at the time of any police interrogation.
What to say when a cop asks you where you are going?
You have the right to remain silent. For example, you do not have to answer any questions about where you are going, where you are traveling from, what you are doing, or where you live. If you wish to exercise your right to remain silent, say so out loud.
What not to tell a lawyer?
- Do Not Say Anything to Your Attorney That Is Not True. ...
- Do Not Exaggerate Your Injuries When Talking to Your Lawyer. ...
- Do Not Tell Your Lawyer to Act On Your Behalf and Take Other Action Without Their Awareness.
Do lawyers know if their client is guilty?
In truth, the defense lawyer almost never really knows whether the defendant is guilty of a charged crime. Just because the defendant says he did it doesn't make it so. The defendant may be lying to take the rap for someone he wants to protect.
What happens if a defendant refuses to speak?
Refusal to testify or answer all or any questions on the basis of right against self-incrimination cannot be used against such person in any way or be used as evidence of guilt.
Can you say bad words to police?
In other words, oftentimes people can curse at the police and not face criminal charges. However, if the person shakes their fist at the police, spits on the police, or engages in other types of unprotected conduct, then the person can still face criminal charges.
Why do police ask where you're headed?
When a police officer asks where you are coming from, they are looking for evidence to support the possibility that you have or are committing a crime or whether or not you are a threat to public safety. This creates a baseline that they will later write down in a police report.
Is it illegal to say you're not a cop?
Police officers do not have to tell you that they are police officers, even when asked. As long as the officer is lying in the course of performing his or her official duties (like an undercover drug buy), there is no law prohibiting them from doing so.
Why do cops follow you but not pull?
Instead, the general rule is that police are allowed to follow you for a reasonable distance to observe your driving and determine if a traffic stop needs to be conducted. As you might imagine, a reasonable distance is interpretative and will vary based on the specifics of the situation.
Can a cop take your keys without permission?
Under California law, during a routine traffic stop for speeding, a police officer generally does not have the legal right to demand your car keys without probable cause or a valid reason.
Is yelling at a cop illegal?
Legality. Freedom of speech is protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, so non-threatening verbal abuse of a police officer is not in itself criminal behavior, though some courts have disagreed on what constitutes protected speech in this regard.
Why do cops ask where you are going?
This question seems innocent, but it's a critical part of the investigative process. Officers want to know where people are coming from so they can draw conclusions about their whereabouts.
Is flipping off a cop illegal?
Legally speaking, no. That's considered by the courts as free speech, which IS protected by the 1st Amendment. So no, cops cannot stop you for flipping the bird at them, and if one did, the stop would be ILLEGAL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL, the millisecond it started.
Can your lawyer tell the police?
A: He is certainly prohibited from telling law enforcement.
What can police see on your record?
They can find out if there are any unpaid tickets, any other driving infractions, suspensions, criminal history, parole or probation status if applicable, and any outstanding warrants out for your arrest. They enter it and it goes into the state system which then links to a national database.
Can you tell your lawyer your crime?
This question of can you admit a crime to a lawyer is a common one. And the simple answer is yes. However, it may or may not be in your best interests to do so.