What do you do when an investigator comes to your door?
We have all seen plenty of movies where a person either gives a statement or refuses to talk when confronted by the police. A lot of times the question becomes: “What should I do?” Many people call our Philadelphia criminal lawyers to inform us of what they just did and ask if what they did was the right thing.
One very powerful constitutional right that the individuals of this country have is the fifth amendment – not to talk to any government authority if they are not inclined to do so. Your denial to talk to the authority by law cannot be construed as an implication of any guilt. As a matter of fact, in a criminal case if the accused individual decides not to take a stand in his defense, the judge will give specific instructions to the jury, stating: “The fact that the defendant did not testify creates no presumption or inference of any kind against him. This fact alone must not have any influence upon you in arriving at your verdict.”
My most sincere advice is: If you’ve received a call from the authorities, whether you think there may be an actual problem or you think that you are completely innocent, do not talk to anyone. You have the right to do so. As well as you have the right to have your criminal lawyer present during any interrogations.
After the stating your desire to “plead the 5th,” the first thing you should do is contact a criminal lawyer. If you are in the Philadelphia area, you may call our law firm at 1800-529-1917 to speak to a criminal lawyer Philadelphia residents can trust for advice and results in criminal cases. Our firm, Kats, Jamison & Associates (Philly Lawyers), defends the people of Bucks County, Delaware County, and Montgomery County in the Greater Philadelphia area.
Our criminal lawyers will communicate with the investigators on your behalf. You should ask the investigator, whether it is on a phone call or at your door for their information and pass it along to your Philly Lawyer so that we may properly contact the authorities and instruct them that any further communications with you will be through your attorney.
As a criminal lawyer Philadelphia residents have relied on for many years, I can assure you that there are no benefits to be derived from talking to the authority. If they want to indite you, they will anyways, despite what you say. If they do not have enough information to indite you, there is no reason for you to cooperate and possibly give out any incriminating information. Whether the question is asked about you or any one that you may be acquainted with, the answer is the same: “I will contact my lawyer and my lawyer will be in touch with you.” Always be polite and respectful, but firm in you desire not to continue without your lawyer present.
If this has happened to you, get the criminal lawyer Philadelphia counts on for criminal defense!
We encourage you to pass this information along to your friends and family members and to always protect your rights under the constitution. Please call us with any questions that you may have regarding criminal charges or any other legal matters: 1800-529-1917
