Your Rights and Responsibilities with Police

Even if police officers are providing help or treat you with kindness and respect, having to talk with them is isn't your idea of a great time. Whether your situation involves juveniles' committing crimes and traffic-related offenses or white collar, sex offense, violent or drug crimes, it's wise to know your rights and responsibilities. If you could be culpable for crimes or could be indicted, contact an attorney right away.

You May Not Need to Show ID

Many citizens don't know that they don't have to answer all a police officer's questions, even if they were driving. Even if you do have to prove who you are, you generally don't have to answer other questions cops might have about anything such as your recent whereabouts and activities or how much you have had to drink, in the case of a drunken driving stop. These protections were put into the U.S. Constitution and seconded by Supreme Court justices. While it's usually best to be cooperative with cops, it's important to know that you have legal protections in your favor.

Imagine a situation where cops think you have run afoul of the law, but in fact you are innocent. This is just one situation where you should to get help from a top-tier lawyer. Legal matters change on a regular basis, and differing laws apply jurisdictionally. Find someone whose main priority it is to know these things for your best chances in any crime, even a DUI.

Sometimes You Should Talk to Police

It's wise to know your rights, but you should think about the fact that usually the cops aren't out to get you. Most are decent people, and causing an issue is most likely to hurt you in the end. You probably don't want to make cops feel like you're against them. This is another reason to hire an attorney such as the expert lawyers at personal injury law firm Tacoma WA on your team, especially after being arrested. Your legal criminal defense counsel can inform you regarding when you should volunteer information and when to shut your mouth.

Know When to Grant or Deny Permission

going a step further than refusing to answer questions, you can deny permission for a cop to search your car or automobile. Probable cause, defined in an elementary way, is a reasonable belief that a crime has been committed. It's more complicated in reality, though. It's usually good to deny permission.