Question for any attorneys here.

[Courtesy Flush]

I found this fantastic link through Digg today. It contains two video lectures that explain how it is never in your best interest to talk with the police. In the first video, a law professor says that even if you're not being accused of anything, don't talk to the cops because they may start pointing fingers at you, and you'll become the accused.

So here's my question: What if you're a witness, or victim, or if your spose is a victim, and you have information to share? If the lecture is true, you could end up entangled in a mess, but still, you want justice for your loved one.

So if you don't talk to the cops, who do you talk to?

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/07/28/law-prof-and-cop-agr.html

[keithjx]

1. The key proviso in the article is

"without your attorney present." Always have someone around that knows your rights and can step in to raise those rights and remind the police of their limitations before opening yourself to conversation with them.
My $0.02.
KJ

[sandnsea]

2. That's right

Always talk to cops with a lawyer present, and if you decide to talk to cops without a lawyer, never ever lie.

[Courtesy Flush]

6. Even the truth can get twisted, though

Remember the point in the lecture when he talked about the man denying any involvement in the crime, but admitted he never liked the guy? In court, all that was mentioned was that he'd made a statement saying he didn't like the victim.

He stressed that no exculpatory statements would be allowed in court. So you're screwed all the way around.

[NightWatcher]

3. always have a competent attorney present with you. (been there, done that)

I went to answer questions about a robbery when I was a video store clerk. I was the clerk who had the gun pointed in his face and they tried to put it on me as an inside job. I did not have an atty, hey, I was just watching the security tape and helping them out, and they tried to push me into taking blame for the guy with the gun. The cops continued to follow me around and harrass me until we threatened to sue the city.

DONT SAY SHIT WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY

[Ichingcarpenter]

4. My brother was a prosecutor and defense attorney, told me 30 years ago

the same thing. Remain silent.

[dysfunctional press]

5. you give them the contact info for your mouthpiece.

and that's who YOU talk to.
(s)he'll decide what they need to know and/or hear.