Your Rights with the Police

If you ever are unfortunate enough to be arrested by the police, it is important that you understand what you rights with the police actually are at this point in time.  Through this article, you will be provided with some basic information about your rights with the police.  Of course, if you have some more specific questions, you will want to consult with a lawyer.  Indeed, if you are facing criminal charges, it is vital that you consult with a lawyer as soon as possible.

Overview

Truly, if you have spent any time watching television or viewing motion pictures, you actually have at least an overview of what your rights are when it comes to dealing with the police.  These rights are set forth in what are known as the Miranda Warnings which a police officer must provide to you at the time of your arrest. 

The Right to Remain Silent

If you have been arrested by the police, you do not have to speak to them.  You have an absolute right to remain silent.  You need to keep in mind that if you do speak to the police upon an arrest, anything that you tell them may end up being used against you in the prosecution of a criminal case against you.

Most attorneys maintain that you never should speak with a police officer and that you should always request an attorney when you have been arrested.

The Right to an Attorney

When you have been arrested, you do have a right to have an attorney represent you.  If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint an attorney to represent you in your case. 

Most experts maintain that you are foolish not to obtain (or have appointed for you) an attorney to assist you in regard to a legal matter, in regard to a criminal matter.  There is an old saying, that still rings true, that a person who serves as his or her own attorney has a fool for a client.

Summary of Your Rights

These rights that you have in regard to being questioned and arrested by the police are established by the Constitution of the United States and the various state constitutions throughout the United States.  It is important that you understand and stand up for your rights should you ever find yourself under arrest.

You need to take your rights very seriously when it comes to your encounters with the police.  You need to fully understand and appreciate that the job of the police really is not to clear your name if you are suspected of some sort of crime.  Rather, the sole task of the police is to amass evidence against you so that you ultimately will be convicted of the crime with which the police have charged you with at a particularly unfortunate point in time. 

You need to remember that the justice system is an adversarial system.  The police are working to develop a case against you.  Thus, you need to stand firm in protecting and engaging your own rights in order to protect your interested in the long term.