At Lotze Mosley, LLP, our criminal defense attorneys in Washington D.C. and Maryland know that some significant traps and pitfalls occur during police interviews and interrogations.
Whether you have been falsely accused of a crime, or are worried about the consequences of a crime you are suspected of committing, you need a skilled defense lawyer by your side to ensure you are fully advised of your rights before answering any questions that might land you in trouble with law enforcement.
Here is why.
The Police Can Legally Lie to You
If you are considering waiving your Miranda Rights and speaking to the police simply because you believe you have not done anything wrong, you may be making a serious mistake.
Even if you were brought in for questioning under the guise that you are just a witness and not a suspect, you are going to be placed in a very vulnerable position without a criminal defense attorney there to protect your rights.
That is because both the Washington D.C. and Maryland police can employ various tricks — including lying to you about what they know about a crime — to get you to say something incriminating.
Those lies can include:
- You failed a polygraph test.
- Your DNA was found at the scene.
- Your fingerprints were on a weapon.
- A witness can place you at the scene of the crime.
Even when these statements are not true, the police can freely use them to extract false confessions.
Confessions Can Stop the Investigation in Its Tracks
Unfortunately, when suspects spend multiple hours being interrogated by the police without an attorney by their side, they can be tricked into saying things that simply are not true — including a false confession.
When someone confesses to a crime he or she did not commit, it is often to escape the stress of the situation.
What they do not know is, the truth may not set them free, because upon receiving a confession — even a false one — law enforcement considers the case closed.
That means no one is looking for the person who actually committed the crime.
Persons who are under suspicion for a crime, or are told they are needed as a witness, have a Constitutional right to bring an attorney with them to police questioning.
Do not allow anyone — whether it is investigators from the district attorney’s office or law enforcement — to tell you having a criminal defense attorney by your side is an admission of guilt.
It is a vital way to protect your rights and, potentially, the loss of your freedom.
Contact Our Criminal Defense Attorneys at Lotze Mosley Today for Help
If you have asked to appear at the police station for an interview – whether you are being called a witness or a suspect, contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Washington D.C. and Maryland at Lotze Mosley, LLP to ensure your rights are protected going forward by calling 202-393-0535 today.
