601-544-1313 [email protected]

I get this question quite often. You are being investigated for a crime. Either law enforcement has left a card on your door, they’ve called you, or they have come to your home to meet with you. What happens next? What should I do?

“No person…shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself…”

The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

You should never talk to a police officer, investigator, or detective without first consulting an attorney. Law enforcement officers are highly trained. You may think you know better, but you don’t. I have been present during multiple police interrogations of my clients. More often than not, I advise my client to refrain from speaking. You may want to get your story out, but you can rarely outsmart a trained police officer. They have a job to do. Their job is to obtain a confession. You may think you’re talking yourself out of an arrest, but instead, you may be admitting to crimes you didn’t know or realize you committed.

So, what should you do?

Politely and respectfully tell the officer that you would like to invoke your right to remain silent and that you would like to speak to an attorney.

Or, in the alternative, retain us first, and then politely and respectfully tell the officer:
“My lawyer has told me not to talk to anyone about my case, not to answer questions, and not to reply to accusation. Call my lawyer, Tangi A. Carter at (601) 544-1313 if you want to ask me any questions, search me or my property, perform any tests, line-ups, or any other I.D. procedures. I do not agree to any of these things without my lawyer present and I do not waive any constitutional rights.”

We are often retained by a client who has not been charged and is under investigation. Every case is unique. Sometimes we gather information from our client and relay that information to the police. Other times we meet with law enforcement with our client present. Every case is different.

If you or a loved one is under investigation for a crime, don’t talk to the police. Call us first!!! (601) 544-1313