We see it on the news and in other media reports all the time. People who get convicted of crimes that they did not commit. Sometimes these people are even coerced into pleading guilty to crimes during interrogations. Some of them report that law enforcement advised them that they would get to go home as long as they confessed to what they were accused of. Some of these confessions were for horrific crimes such as rape or even murder. Jurors often view confessions as proof that people are guilty because most people say that they would never say that they did something unless they actually did it.
Having criminal defense lawyers present during interrogations can eliminate the possibility of an accused person making a statement that could later lead to their conviction. Even if a person is facing misdemeanor charges, they should consider the benefits of keeping their mouth shut until they can speak with a lawyer. This is actually a right. In the past, officers were required to read a person their rights during an arrest. If they did not do this, the charges of the people arrested could have been thrown out of court. Some jurisdictions no longer enforce this rule since the right to remain quiet is viewed as common knowledge.
Perhaps you are a parent who has a child that has been accused of a crime. They may have been questioned about their involvement, and you may not have been notified until later. It would be a good idea for you to confer with criminal defense lawyers to ensure that your child’s rights were not violated. In most jurisdictions, it is illegal to question a child without a parent present. Parents can give consent for authorities to question their children without them present, but this is a foolish decision to make. If you cannot be present, a lawyer should be present.
Depending on the charges and whether your child can be tried as an adult, you may want to be present as well as have a lawyer there. Zaloba Edward is a good resource to use if you or a loved one has been accused of a crime. Read more about his expereince in criminal defense representation.
