For many people, even those who have never committed any sort of criminal offense, interactions with the police can be intimidating. As such, sitting for a formal interview can be even more nerve-wracking. However, one of the most intense interactions comes in the form of a police interrogation. As such, familiarizing yourself with what to expect during an interrogation and your rights as the criminally accused is critical. The following blog explores what you should know about these matters, including the importance of working with a Cobb County criminal defense lawyer to help you explore your rights.
What Can I Expect During an Interrogation?
When you are interrogated by the police, whether following an arrest or if you are brought in as a suspect in a criminal case, the primary purpose of the interview is to gain information from you. Generally, the interrogation will take place in a room at a police station in which the officers will ask you a number of questions in relation to a crime.
Officers will also use different tactics to obtain information from you, such as trying to earn your trust through the classic “good cop, bad cop” routine. This is when one officer is incredibly intense and harsh, while the other appears to be more sympathetic to your situation in order to build rapport and elicit information. You’ll also find that the police can lie to you, such as fabricating the strength of the evidence they have against you or claiming that a potential partner incriminated you.
Do I Have Rights When Interacting with the Police?
It’s important to understand that when you are interrogated by the police, whether you have been formally arrested and charged with a crime or you are a suspect in a criminal case, you have two fundamental rights. The first is to remain silent. The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution grants you the right to refrain from speaking with the police to protect yourself from self-incrimination. The second right you have is to an attorney. As such, if you are arrested or otherwise brought in by law enforcement for interrogation, you should ask for an attorney and then inform the police you are invoking your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent until you have spoken with your legal representation.
When you are accused of a crime or named as a suspect in a criminal case, it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney with the Miller Law Practice, LLC as soon as possible. Our firm understands how difficult these circumstances can be to navigate on your own, which is why we will do everything in our power to help you fight for the best possible outcome. Contact us today to learn how we can represent you.
