Million Dollar Legal Advice
by
Mark Bennett, Texas
Criminal Defense Attorney
The following advice is worth millions of dollars, countless
years in prison, and many saved lives.
If everyone followed this advice:
Many fewer people would be charged with crimes. They would,
collectively, be saved millions of dollars in attorneys fees
(not to mention lower taxes from needing fewer prosecutors
and judges).
Of those charged with crimes, many fewer would be convicted.
They would, collectively, be saved countless years in
prison.
Of those who avoided prosecution or conviction, many would
also avoid the death penalty. Their lives would be saved.
I give you this advice for free:
Don't
talk to the police.
Almost everyone in prison is there because they talked to
the police. They thought they could explain; they thought
they could help themselves.
When the police want to talk to you, it's not for your own
good. They're not looking for evidence to clear you. They're
looking for evidence against you.
The police tell you, "we're your friends, we can help. Make
it easier on yourself. Confess now," so you confess, and go
away for the maximum anyway. The police are not your
friends.
Or the police ask about a murder: "what do you know about
it?" He says, "I was there, but I didn't do it." They ignore
the denial, write down "he admits being there," and use that
to convict him. The police only hear what they want to hear.
Or the police ask about a robbery: "what do you know about
the robbery?" You say, "I didn't do the robbery. I just sold
the guy drugs." They charge you with dealing drugs, and you
go to prison. The police are sneaky. They are allowed to lie
to you to get a confession.
You have a constitutional right not to talk to the police.
That means that your refusal to talk can't be used against
you. If you keep your mouth shut, nobody will legally be
able to consider that in deciding whether you're guilty or
not. (The cops may think you're guilty, but they think
you're guilty anyway.)
You also have a constitutional right to a lawyer. If you
say, "I want a lawyer," the police are supposed to stop
questioning you. Sometimes, though, they don't hear you
demand a lawyer. So you have to tell them again. And again.
And again:
Cop: Where were you
Tuesday night?
You: I want a
lawyer.
Cop: You don't
need a lawyer, do you?
You: I want a
lawyer.
Cop: If you're not
guilty, why do you need a lawyer?
You: I want a
lawyer.
Cop: I can't do
anything for you once you get a lawyer.
You: I want a
lawyer.
And so on.
If you've already talked to the police, talk to a lawyer
before talking any more. Cooperating with the government is
sometimes like dancing with a gorilla —you don't stop when
you want to stop —but if you started talking without
consulting a lawyer, a lawyer can tell you if it is in your
best interest to keep cooperating.
If you have an appointment to talk to the police, don't go.
Talk to a lawyer first.
After investigating the case and hearing the truth from you
(never lie to your lawyer), your lawyer may decide you
should talk to the police. In very rare situations, this is
a good decision. It should never be done without an
investigation, and it should never be taken lightly.
For more information please
contact us!
