Some people have a tough time knowing when to speak and when to remain quiet. There are many circumstances in life when having this ability can really pay off. Seattle Seahawks Bruce Irvin could use some lessons in this gentle art after making a joke on social media this week about being arrested for a DUI—an event that never happened. After an avalanche of criticism, he let everyone in on the joke and pledged to stay off social media for the rest of the day. Whew! Another scenario where knowing when to shut up can be a big help is when you encounter police.

5 Things You Should Never Say to Police

Lies

Obstruction of justice means many different things. Mainly, it is when people stand in the way of an investigation, impeding the work of police. If you are lying and are charged with the obstruction of justice, you can be convicted of a felony. It's not worth it. You are not obligated to answer questions; just remain quiet.

“I Did it”

Prosecutors and police have the burden of proving you are guilty of a crime. When you blurt out “I did it” for whatever reason, what's done is done. Keeping your mouth shut despite what the police are saying to you about how coming clean will help you is your best decision. Should you choose to plead guilty, it is best to do so as part of plea bargain.

Anything

Remember that you are not obligated to say anything. It is not always easy to know what to say and what not to say—but know this: it is best to say nothing. You should always be very polite and courteous throughout the process, but simply continue to tell the officer that you are exercising your Miranda rights in staying quiet.

“Yes, you can search my…”

Even if you have done nothing wrong, it is never in your best interest to say yes to a search. Law enforcement must have a good reason or probable cause, or a warrant to perform any search of you or your property. This requirement is waived the moment you say yes to the police offer for a search. If you agree to a search and the officer uncovers something that supports their suspicions, arguing this later could present a problem for you and your attorney.

“I only had two margaritas”

A faulty notion that sharing a little of the truth will create rapport between you and the cop is dangerous. If you tell the officer you had two drinks, you just admitted to drinking before driving. You have just given the officer reasonable suspicion that they need to take additional action. The officer now may detain you or interrogate you further. Stay quiet.

Hopefully, you will never have to heed the advice of keeping your mouth shut if pulled over by police. But if you are already facing charges, Steve Karimi, a former prosecutor, can help you determine your best strategy for your criminal defense. Contact us today and schedule your first step to resolving your problem. Peace of mind is waiting for you.