Why You Should Never Talk to Police Without a Lawyer, Even If You’re Innocent
By James L. Spies | AggressiveCriminalLaw.com
“But I didn’t do anything wrong.”
I hear this all the time. And I believe you. But that doesn’t change my advice:
Do not talk to the police without a lawyer.
Not if you're innocent. Not if you just want to help. Not ever.
The Police Are Not Just Trying to Clear Things Up
Let’s be honest. When law enforcement wants to “ask a few questions,” it’s not because they’re trying to set the record straight. They’re building a case. If they’re talking to you, it’s because they think you know something, or that you might be involved.
Innocent people assume that if they just explain themselves, the problem will go away. But in reality, that conversation often leads to a bigger problem.
Here’s why:
Anything you say can and will be used against you, even if it’s taken out of context.
You may forget a detail or misstate something, which can be used to make you look dishonest.
Officers are trained to get you talking, whether or not you should.
They are legally allowed to lie to you during questioning. You are not allowed to lie to them.
“But I’m Just Telling the Truth”
That sounds reasonable. It also leads to criminal charges.
The truth isn’t always clean or easy. And it’s never enough by itself.
You might think you’re clearing things up, but you could be:
Admitting you were near a crime scene
Giving details that conflict with other (possibly false) statements
Suggesting motive or opportunity, even if unintentionally
Sounding nervous or defensive in a way that police interpret as suspicious
You could even be saying something entirely innocent, but the officer misunderstands or misremembers it. Once that version is written in a report, it becomes hard to walk back.
I Used to Be a Prosecutor. I Know How This Works
I’ve sat on the other side of the courtroom. I’ve seen suspects try to talk their way out of trouble. Many of them ended up with criminal charges—some even went to trial.
Not all of them were guilty.
People walk into a police station thinking they’re helping. They walk out with a court date.
Once you talk, your lawyer has to work twice as hard to fix it. But if you stay quiet and call me, we can take control from the start.
What Should You Do?
Here’s the script:
1. Be respectful.
2. Ask if you are free to leave.
3. If not, say:
“I want to remain silent.”
“I want to speak to a lawyer.”
Then stop talking.
If the questioning continues, repeat:
“I am not speaking without my lawyer.”
Bottom Line
Talking to police without legal advice isn’t smart. It’s risky.
You don’t owe them an explanation. You owe yourself a fair shot. And that starts with a lawyer who knows how to protect you.
If you’re facing questions, charges, or confusion, call me. I’m ready to fight for your freedom and your future.
