by P. Brisdaine

Created on: December 01, 2008   Last Updated: December 07, 2010

The call comes in,...

It's the North Carolina Police Department. They would like to speak with you regarding a series of break ins that have occurred over the last four weeks. Should you hang up? Should you talk to them? Do they know something already about you being connected to the crime? Or maybe that you know who is likely responsible? So, what do you do? They are on the phone right now wanting to talk to you.

First, realize you are not obligated to talk to the police. It's your constitutional right. Not speaking with them does not make you guilty. They still have to gather evidence. You will be convicted by the evidence they gather. Thus, everything you say to them becomes evidence. Thus, most every attorney will suggest you decline their offer to speak to them and refer them to your attorney or, take the detective's phone number and have your attorney call them. Give them a time frame. They will expect one. Detectives work on schedules and facts. A suggested reaction to them calling might be, "Hello, detective, may I ask what this call is regarding? <Responds> Oh,... I see. I would feel more comfortable if you would speak with my representative, "Mr. Saloman" my attorney at (999)999-9999. He will be able to discuss the matter with you, sir."

Second, if you speak with police (detectives most specifically) they are extremely well at reading people, mannerisms, vocabulary, voice inflection, nervousness, etc. This is what they do for a living. So, if you can tell you're getting nervous, it's far likely they are already aware of it and have been staying on that line of questioning to make you feel uneasy for a reason. Remember, these guys / gals are very good at putting crime puzzles together. And you are a key component to 'today's' puzzle. Oftentimes a line of questioning goes into a variety of places. It might be where it happened. Who was there? What time it happened? Who's car was used? How a home was chosen in the crimes. Most people concentrate so hard on answering the question they are asking, they even take their time to formulate an answer that won't implicate them or give them any facts. Those are some of the better tactics. You see, when you get uncomfortable, they will drone on with the questions. Making you uncomfortable. It's human nature to come clean and get beyond that uncomfortable feeling. If you don't come clean, they will harp on it sometimes for hours. However, other tactics can be used during this.

Third, while they've got you

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