Legal Question in Criminal Law in Michigan

Witness-related question

My friend and I live on the same floor in our dorm. Two Friday's ago, our boyfriend's from home drove up to spend the night with us. We all stayed in my room. We woke up the next morning to find out that her room had been broken into. Her roommates laptop and iPod were stolen. She and one of her roommates (she has two, this is the one whose things were stolen) gave statements, the other wasn't there. I was listed as a witness and and today I went to the station to talk to the detective. When I was giving my story, he said that everything I was telling him was not what she said, and that they're looking at her as a suspect. I figured he was just using some police tactics to see if I would change my story, but I didn't. Before I left, he said that I couldn't talk to her about anything he had questioned me about because it would be ''collaboration.'' My question is, is it illegal for me to tell her what went down during questioning? I have nothing to hide, I'm not covering up for her, I know it wasn't her (she had property stolen from her too) and I want to tell her what happened. Was the detective lying, could I really get in trouble if he finds out I talked to her? I'm not a suspect, and I have a right to free speech, am I correct?


Asked on 3/02/07, 5:44 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
William Morrison Action Defense Center

Re: Witness-related question

It's not a good idea to tell your friend about your part of the investigation. Although it seems unlikely that she committed a crime, if she did, and you aid her, you could also be charged.

Police are allowed to use deception as a means of investigating a crime.

While you do have a right to free speech, you should also have a interest in staying in school. If your school has the perception that you are "collaborating" with a suspected thief, will it place you in jeopardy of expulsion? Common sense says to follow the detective's instructions.

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Answered on 3/03/07, 12:48 pm


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