As a chick married to an ex-cop, I say this all the time to people close to me, but it bears repeating here: No cop is your friend after you’ve been detained.
Get rear ended by a drunk at a red light? That cop will direct traffic around your vehicle, document the accident, sure. Call animal control on your piece of shit neighbor? You’ve got a pretty good chance the officer who shows up helps out in a meaningful way.
But after you’ve been arrested, when a police officer says, “Just be honest with me and I’ll do the same.” or the old “Help me and I’ll help you.” Politely ask for a lawyer. Shake your head. Ignore them. Pretend you’re Hollywood royalty being asked for a selfie. “ …mmmm… Sorry, but no.”
Keep your mouth shut. Don’t do their work for them. Wait for a lawyer.
I worked as a police dispatcher for a year and a half, and I’d agree with this. My cops were generally nice people (and I say this having been on the wrong end of their sirens twice, once before and once after being hired), and they often helped in good ways… on the street. Not so much in the station. Generally speaking (and I know this is oversimplification and is worse in a lot of places but), it went like this:
On the street, you were considered as a person/citizen they have sworn to protect who may have made a mistake or done something wrong.
Once you were in the station, you were considered as a criminal. In the station you are the only one on your side.
Stay safe.
TV and film has you thinking that only guilty people ask for a lawyer. This is not true. The law is complex and difficult and confusing and if you’re being questioned by the police you’re not going to be in your best state of mind. A lawyer is your basic civil right and you should exercise that right. Keep silent, ask for a lawyer, take your legal advice.
Guilty people don’t ask for a lawyer, smart people do.
“Guilty people don’t ask for a lawyer, smart people do.”
My uncle was a cop. My uncle is the most down to earth, wouldn’t hurt a fly person in the world. I don’t think he even arrested a single person ever, that wasn’t his job on the force.
His advice? Get a fucking lawyer. Never say a damn word. A cop knows how to twist your words around and make you even doubt yourself. They know damn well how to make you feel guilty by getting a lawyer. YOU need to know that it’s SMART to get a lawyer. Get a lawyer.
Another really important thing to add: you have the right to a lawyer and you have to ASK FOR ONE UNEQUIVOCALLY. Not “I think I need a lawyer” or “maybe I should get a lawyer.” No. Instead say, “I WILL NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS UNTIL I HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH A LAWYER.” After that, they MUST cease all questioning until you’ve consulted with your lawyer or else it’s a violation of the Fifth Amendment.
Also, you have the right to remain silent but you must actively invoke that right. You can sit there for three hours saying absolutely nothing and they can keep questioning you. It might sound really stupid but if you say, “I am invoking my right to remain silent” then the police cannot keep questioning you unless YOU reinitiate conversation.
As a criminal prosecutor told me once, they don’t catch the smart ones. So whether or not you did anything wrong, know your rights and invoke them and protect yourself. Because as soon as you’ve been detained, the police are not on your side. And they will use your ignorance against you.
Published
Steel Phoenix Studios 