Legal Question in Criminal Law in California
The police would like to question me but I can not get a hold of my lawyer this late. Will I get in trouble if I wait till tomorrows business hours to contact my lawyer before contacting the police?
2 Answers from Attorneys
DO NOT TALK TO THE POLICE.
You are not obligated to talk to police officers. If the police want to question you, politely tell them you do not wish to speak to them.
You probably won't talk your way out of getting arrested... and if they plan to arrest you, they don't have to tell you before questioning. In fact, they can lie to your face, telling you that you are free to go, just so they don't have to advise you of your right to remain silent and to have an attorney present.
If you are arrested, tell them you wish to remain silent and won't answer any questions without your lawyer... then STICK TO IT.
The ONLY advice you should expect to get from here or elsewhere is to exercise your 5th Amendment rights to SHUT UP, and hire an attorney to speak for you. You may face charges that could put in jail/prison, and most police and prosecutors will happily tell you that 95% of people convict themselves by trying to be 'helpful and cooperative'.
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