Criminal Lawyer Fairfax VA
When law enforcement brings you in for questioning, regardless of your innocence, it’s only natural to feel nervous. It’s likely that you will want to be as helpful as possible. After all, you’ve got nothing to hide. The reality is that even those who are completely innocent of the crime they are being questioned about can still say things that could be damaging. Requesting a criminal lawyer does not incriminate you in a case; it protects you from saying something that could be used against you. Although wanting to help is a natural response, a Fairfax VA criminal lawyer will be of particular use in ensuring that your rights are protected.
Law Enforcement Questioning
Throughout the process of being questioned by the police, it’s important to remember that it is your right to not say anything at all. If you choose to take this step, law enforcement must stop in their interrogation of you until your criminal lawyer arrives. When building a case, the police will use anything you say or do against you. It’s all too common for someone who is in the process of being interrogated to admit guilt or say something that is damaging solely because they are nervous or fearful.
There are common tactics that a police officer may use when questioning someone around the details of a crime. One of the most widely used is known as the Reid technique. The Reid technique provides law enforcement with a roadmap for navigating interrogations. The interrogator will work through a step-by-step process in order to ultimately get a confession from the person they suspect of committing the crime. Law enforcement is charged with gathering information in order to obtain a confession or gather evidence; as a result, their tactics can be manipulative at times. It is always advised that you ask for legal counsel if you are being questioned or suspected of involvement in a crime.
The Role of the Criminal Lawyer
To ensure that you are protected to the fullest extent, prior to answering any questions from law enforcement, it may be a good idea to request a criminal lawyer. By asking that a lawyer be present during questioning, you are letting police know that you will not be answering any further questions without legal representation. A criminal lawyer in Fairfax VA will guide you throughout questioning in the following ways:
- A Fairfax VA attorney may ask that you refrain from giving a statement to prevent you from incriminating yourself. Some situations may warrant a statement, if this is the case, having an attorney present will be important in ensuring that the process is fair.
- An attorney will be able to prep you prior to an interrogation and ensure that your rights are protected throughout questioning.
With their support, a skilled criminal lawyer may be able to prevent you from making statements that could impact your case.
Being questioned by law enforcement can be an anxiety-provoking experience. When faced with such a stressful situation, it is possible to do and say all of the wrong things. Although you may want to help law enforcement with the case, you may want to wait for legal representation. If you are considered a suspect or person of interest in a crime, it is wise to hire a criminal lawyer Fairfax VA clients recommend from Dave Albo – Attorney before answering any questions coming from law enforcement.