Home > Research Legal Advice > Criminal Defense > I was contacted by phone by a detective who wanted to hear my side of th...
Asked 4 months ago - Seattle, WA
FlagI told him that I wanted to seek counsel first before speaking with him, and I wanted to make sure that was the right thing to do before answering anything. I haven't spoken with an attorney yet, but I was planning on telling the detective that I have been advised not to comment on this matter. Is this the right plan initially?
As my colleagues have all stated, you absolutely should not speak with anyone about this matter, especially law enforcement. The only person you should discuss this situation with is a competent and experienced criminal defense attorney, who you should retain immediately. Detectives who contact you are simply doing there job, and that is to find evidence to be used in a prosecution. They are trained to elicit information from people they suspect of a crime, so you do not want to give them any opportunity to do so. And once they know you have an attorney, they won't call you anymore.
What the detective means by "wanting to hear your side of the story" is that he would like you to call up and give him the evidence that he needs to arrest you. Whether you are guilty or innocent, there is absolutely no benefit in talking to the detective yourself. Hire an attorney, discuss all of the facts with your attorney and follow your attorneys advice on how to handle this. In the meantime if you're contacted by the detective remember these words "I want my attorney." This may not stop you from getting arrested, but it may keep you out of prison.
Scott W Lawrence
Law Office of Scott Lawrence, PLLC
(425) 488-8481
I agree with what has been offered already but wish to add my caution. You advising the detective that you consulted an attorney who advised you not to discuss the matter. Is not the best approach. More than telling the detective that you've been so advised, consult with an attorney (you're gonna need one) and have the attorney communicate that message to the detective. The only reliable way to make sure you are not in a position where you say something you will later regret or the detective claims you said something you didn't say is to have counsel insert himself/herself between you and the officers who want you to help them. Any other course of action is a recipe for disaster. You need to do it now.
You have already had numerous good lawyers tell you that you should not discuss this with the detective or anyone other than your lawyer. See the link below on talking with the police. Watch the videos.
If any answer on AVVO helps you, mine or someone else’s, please mark it as "helpful" or "best answer" to help AVVO know which answers to show others.
Thank you.
--- Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer in Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin
http://addbalance.com
--- Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/CriminalDefenseMadTown
--- Talking to the Police - Advice from Lawyers and Police
http://addbalance.com/police.htm
--- Miranda Rights (and Wrongs)
http://addbalance.com/miranda_rights.htm
DISCLAIMER:
Confidential information should not be disclosed in this Internet forum.
I am an experienced Wisconsin criminal defense lawyer practicing in Madison (Dane County) Wisconsin. The laws in each jurisdiction can be very different. I cannot give legal advice over the Internet nor can I establish an attorney client relationship with you.
If something I say disagrees with what your own lawyer is telling you, you should rely on your lawyer who is familiar with you, your entire case, the local courts and practices.
Most questions are just better handled by an attorney familiar with the procedures of the courts in your area. Few, if any, legal matters should be handled via Internet communication. If you cannot afford an attorney, there should be agencies in your area that can provide discounted, or even free, legal services.
This AVVO Answer is provided for general educational purposes only.
Click on the “more” link below for more important information about the answer and AVVO.
Don't speak legalese? We define thousands of terms in plain English.
Browse our legal dictionary
