The Honest Guidance You Need To Best Protect Your Rights

Why silence can be golden when facing arrest

On Behalf of | Jan 28, 2019 | Firm News

It doesn’t matter if you know you’re innocent. When you are facing an arrest, law enforcement can use whatever you say against you.

When you’re facing a potential arrest, the best thing to do is remain quiet. Trying to talk yourself out of it can create more severe consequences.

Putting yourself at risk

When you are facing an arrest, it’s important to remain calm. By reasoning with law enforcement or even by simply trying to explain your side of things, you risk self-incrimination.

An arrest is a scary situation and most people aren’t thinking clearly during the process. This leads to misspeaking and false statements that create confusion around your innocence. By waiving your right to remain silent, you can accidentally submit incriminating statements.

Even if you don’t mean to, any misleading comments to law enforcement can be considered lying to law enforcement and create additional charges. If you get arrested, you’re not going to be able to talk your way out of it.

There’s nothing to gain

While you must cooperate with law enforcement, it’s much better to remain quiet while doing so. Simply ask the officers if you are under arrest. If they say yes, tell them you will remain silent and request a lawyer.

There’s nothing to be gained by answering questions during an arrest. You won’t suddenly find yourself free to go. If law enforcement has made up their mind to arrest you, that’s what’s going to happen.

By offering excuses or giving reasons for whatever they are accusing you of, you give them more material for their case against you.

Giving yourself the best defense

In order to give yourself the best chance after an arrest, don’t try to go it alone. The help of a skilled criminal defense attorney can make the difference between a colossal mistake and a simple misunderstanding.