What Are Your Rights When Dealing With the Police? By Matt Horeczko

 Police officers are also responsible for arrests in addition to protecting and serving the public. Some police officers have "arrest goals" or "arrest quotas" that must be met each week. According to Matt Horeczko, you are more likely to get arrested when a police officer stops you on the street, in your car, or knocks on a high door. Do you need to speak with a police officer? Does the officer have the right to search your car or home? If you refuse, what will happen?



Following are some general rules and factors to consider before speaking with police officers.


Generally, if a police officer does not suspect you of a particular crime, you do not have to answer questions or submit to a search. The information provided, however, can be used against you or on others if you consent - that is, if you agree to speak to a police officer or if you agree to be searched. Your consent, then, allows the officer to do things that he or she would otherwise not be able to do. Keep two things in mind before answering a police officer's question or submitting to a search: you can always withdraw your consent if you don't want to, and there is no "off the record" when you offer data to the police. You do not have to be informed that consent is optional by the police.


You can be stopped by a police officer in public and asked for identification even if there is no reason to suspect you of criminal activity. Failure to identify a police officer is a crime in some states. All states require drivers who are stopped for driving infractions to provide identification upon request.


A police officer does not need to read your Miranda rights if he or she has not taken you into custody or prevented you from leaving. You may be held responsible for the information you provide. Only when a person is being interrogated and in custody should Miranda rights be read to them.


You can always delay answering questions if you are not detained or in custody by asking the officer to return at a later time. You may be able to learn more about the law, weigh the consequences of your decisions, or speak to an attorney.


According to Matt Horeczko, in the event that you believe that you may be implicated in a crime, lawyers suggest that you remain silent and refuse to answer a police officer's questions, at least until you have spoken with an attorney.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Does the juvenile justice system has to pay attention towards rehabilitation?

Matt Horeczko - What Are the Types of Legal Defenses in Criminal Law?

What Are Catastrophic Injuries?