If I Am Arrested, Should I Talk to Police?

04 Sep If I Am Arrested, Should I Talk to Police?

The short answer to this question is NO.

If you are arrested in Tennessee, you have a number of constitutional rights, including (and most importantly) the right to remain silent and to not incriminate yourself, given to you by the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

That’s not to say that it is always best to remain silent. There are times when speaking with the police may help everyone better understand what happened and also help your potential criminal prosecution, but this can be done with your lawyer present.

That’s why our short answer is NO. If your lawyer is not present, the answer is always NO. If your lawyer is present, you should communicate with law enforcement only through your lawyer.

By the way, this isn’t just the recommendation of some criminal defense attorneys in Murfreesboro. We have had several private conversations with prosecutors, deputies, detectives, and others in the criminal justice system. Without fail, every person confirms that if a friend or loved one were arrested, their advice would be to get a lawyer before speaking to the police.

If the police, prosecutors, and court staff won’t even speak to law enforcement without a lawyer present, why would you?

If you or a friend or loved one are arrested in Rutherford County or in Middle Tennessee and need help, feel free to contact our office. Our team of Murfreesboro Criminal Defense Attorneys is here to help—when it matters most.