What Should You Do If A Law Enforcement Officer Wants To Question You About A Crime?
If you have questions about a criminal matter, please contact our law office.
Law enforcement officer (police, sheriff, etc.) are responsible for investigating crimes in their “jurisdiction” (area of authority or city limits). This usually involves contacting people believed to be “witnesses” to some of the activities they believe are illegal.
Unless you are the victim of a crime you are not required to provide any information to law enforcement other than your name, address, and date of birth.
In addition, you may have to produce some written identification (such as a driver’s license) on request. That is the extent of the information you are required to give to law enforcement. The only exception to this is if you are a victim of a crime, you should cooperate with law enforcement and provide as much detail about the crime as you have, so the person responsible for the crime can be identified, arrested, and prosecuted.
If law enforcement wants information from you about a crime they believe you may have committed, and you are not a victim of that crime, you should consult with a criminal lawyer before giving any information. Many “suspects” believe that they can “explain away” any suspicion or facts that point to them, but often they end up giving law enforcement evidence that can and will be used to prosecute them for a crime. When in doubt, a suspect should say nothing other than their name, address, and date of birth. The police are not required to tell a suspect the truth, and often police make up a story and this tactic is used to trick the suspect into providing information about a crime. The police cannot arrest a person for refusing to discuss the circumstances of a crime.
An experienced criminal attorney can gather information to present a defense for someone charged with a crime. A defense is more difficult to prepare if the attorney has to gather evidence that explains away a client’s incriminating (guilty) statements to police when the client didn’t have to make any statement to the police in the first place. The most important thing a person (who is not a crime victim) confronted with law enforcement should remember is: only name, address, and date of birth.
Woodland Hills Criminal Defense Attorney
Diane Goldman began her legal career as a prosecutor with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. She then gained additional trial experience with a number of private law firms in civil law (medical malpractice, premises liability, and insurance defense of auto accident cases).
If you need experienced and aggressive legal representation in a criminal matter, Woodland Hills California Criminal Defense Attorney today to learn more about the charges you are facing and to explore your options for a strong legal defense.
The Law Office of Diane Goldman represents individuals accused of, or charged with a crime throughout Ventura County and Western Los Angeles including Woodland Hills, North Ridge, Chatsworth, West Hills, North Hollywood, Tarzana, Agoura Hills, Encino, Canoga Park, Calabassas, and surrounding areas.