When you’re pulled over by the police or investigators visit your residence or place of employment to ask you questions about a crime, it’s tempting to try to explain the situation as much as possible to dispel any suspicion that may be hanging over you. But doing so is dangerous. It can lead to incriminating statements or statements that can be twisted out of context and used against you in a criminal prosecution, thereby increasing the likelihood that you’ll be convicted. What can and should you do, then, if you let something slip to the police that makes you look bad?
How to get a handle on incriminating statements made to the police
Some statements are so incriminating that they’re hard to walk back. In these situations, it may be best to discuss the possibility of a plea deal with your attorney. Before doing so, though, you should consider whether you can successfully do any of the following:
- Argue that the police subjected you to custodial interrogation without informing you of your right to remain silent and your right to have an attorney present.
- Present evidence that the statement was coerced out of you.
- Demonstrate how the statement in question was taken out of context.
- Show that the officer who claims you made the statement is biased or otherwise motivated to testify against you.
- Illustrate how the statement is tainted by illegality, such as when it was acquired after an illegal traffic stop.
If you can successfully make any of these arguments, then you might be able to block the prosecution from using your statements in court, which could tank their case.
Build the most effective criminal defense given the facts of your case
There are several ways to approach your criminal case. That’s why it’s important to fully assess your criminal defense options and choose those that are most likely to beat the prosecution’s arguments. If you want to learn more about what you can do to craft compelling legal arguments, then please continue to read our blog.