If the police asked me to come to the station to give statement but won’t tell me what it is about, canI decline?
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If the police asked me to come to the station to give statement but won’t tell me what it is about, canI decline?
Asked on December 10, 2011 under Criminal Law, Missouri
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Yes you can decline their "offer". You do not have to appear at the police station if you choose not to. Whatever you do, under no circumstances should you go to speak with the police without having an attorney with you. This is true no matter how innocent you are. The fact is that you could say something incriminating about yourself (or others) regarding the incident being investigated.
You are under no obligation to speak to the police. That's true, even if they come to your home. If you speak to them without having a lawyer to protect your interests, it is to their benefit. They will try to get you to implicate yourself. Therefore, no matter how friendly they may appear or no matter how intimidating they may seem, do not speak to them without legal representation.
At this point you need to contact a criminal defense lawyer in your area ASAP.
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