When you’re arrested, you have a number of rights. One right that is guaranteed to you by the U.S. Constitution is the right to an attorney. Police officers will ask you questions, and it is best for you to answer those questions only in the presence of your attorney.
However, if you choose to give up your right to an lawyer, then police officers have the right to question you even in the absence of an attorney. If police officers are questioning you, and you decide that you want an attorney, then officers are required to stop the questioning immediately, and resume questioning only when an attorney has been appointed in your case.
Remember, it is important to get legal advice before you talk to police officers. It’s also important to understand that there is nothing that you can say to police officers that will encourage officers to drop charges against you. It’s foolish to expect this. It’s best to ask to speak with your Long Beach criminal defense lawyer as soon as you are arrested, so that you can avoid making mistakes that could jeopardize your case.
Remember, if you are questioned without a lawyer, and say something that hurts your case, it becomes that much more challenging for a Long Beach criminal defense attorney to defend you successfully.
