Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if the police contact me?

Immediately call a lawyer. Most times when the police contact you, they will ask you to come to the precinct to JUST answer a few questions. Usually they have made up their mind to arrest you and want to lull you into a false sense of security so that you give them a statement detailing your involvement in the incident. By contacting an attorney, we can protect your rights and make sure that you are not questioned by a police officer.

Should I give a statement to the police?

NO. You should never give a statement to the police. Regardless of your guilt or innocence, a statement can never help your case, no matter what the police try to tell you. They will promise you that they will speak to the District Attorney's office on your behalf and ask then to go easier on you because you cooperated. This is not true. The police will say whatever they need to induce you into making a statement. Sometimes without the statement they cannot make an arrest.

A friend or family member has just been arrested, what should I do?

Call an attorney. If an arrest has been made, time is of the essence. The most important issue at this time is to prevent the police from questioning the person arrested. Once retained, a lawyer may call the precinct and speak with arresting officer and tell him that he may not question the arrested person. Often times the police are able to elicit a statement from the accused by using various tactics, which an attorney can put a stop to once he makes contact with the police.

The police are knocking on my door, what should I do?

Unless they have a warrant or there are exigent circumstances, you do not have to let them in. You do not even have to answer the door. If they say they have a warrant ask them to hold it up to the door or to slip it under the door. The police may break down the door if exigent circumstances exist such as danger of fleeing, hiding someone or some other emergency that would make the getting of a warrant impractical. If they leave a card, immediately call a lawyer. A lawyer can speak to the police to find out what it is that they want.

I have just been arrested, what should I do?

Be calm and respectful towards the police. Insist on calling a lawyer and under no circumstances answer any questions. The police will do what ever they can to induce you into making a statement that will be contrary to your interests. No matter what they say or what they promise you do not answer any questions and ask to call a family member or a lawyer.

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