Should I give a statement to a police officer or just ignore it?

Question

another individual is trying to pursue criminal charges against me. The individual gave his statement to the officer already. The officer wants me to come up and give my formal statement. Should I go and talk or just tell him I'm not willing to answer any questions?

Answer 1

If you have nothing to hide, I'd get on record. If you have a doubt, get an atty.

Answer 2

You don't go and there is nobodies word except the accuser. Then they will charge you and come and get you. But if they had evidence as another person said they would have done so already.

Either way this may end up in court......... but it may not if the officer determines that with your statement there is no basis to pursue it. But..... if you show and make a statement and you are still charged...... the fact that you appeared voluntarily will go a long way. For one they may let you go on your own recognisance instead of locking you up. Therefore no sitting in jail or spending money on bail.

Another is that if you are found guilty the fact that you showed up on you own will help. The judge may see you as being more responsible and take that into consideration when he is sentencing you.

So go.... but much depends on you and the potential charge. You go with a lawyer and you may look guilty. If you can speak properly and look serious (ie cleancut) you might not need one. If things look sticky you can just say that you will continue this conversation when you have a lawyer.

Wish you had said what the charge is..... it may just be a simple thing to take care of.

Answer 3

This would depend upon your guilt or innocence. If you've done nothing wrong, then it may be beneficial to talk to the police. Anyone who has been a police officer long knows that there are two sides to every story. The officer may just want to hear another perspective to the story that he's already heard.

I've had cases where I had enough probable cause to charge a person with a crime based largely on victim and witness statements and a small amount of physical evidence. I would ask the suspect to come in and talk with me. If he had refused then I would simply go ahead with the charges. But in many cases they did talk with me. A lot of times they tried to BS their way through the interview, which is easy to read. But a few were sincere, and their version fit the facts and evidence much better than the victim's account which caused me to reinvestigate the matter. A lot of times, all police have to go on is the victim's account of an incident.

Yes, an attorney can argue for you in court after you have paid him a huge sum of money, been arrested, spent a night in jail, and suffered the humiliation of being charged with a crime that you may or may not have committed. A lot of times this could have been avoided simply by telling the police your version of the events. Most attorneys will tell you to never talk to the police. Attorneys don't get paid until you've been arrested.

Answer 4

The officer ASKED you to give a statement correct?
He/she did not as yet say you are under arrest. You should go and give a statement unless, of course you would rather wait until you have no other choice once they arrive with the flashy pretty light bulbs and the shiny bracelets for you and take you to their nice house and arrest you, read you your rights and then ask if you'd like to give your statement.

At this point they are trying to decide if this is a matter worth pursuing. Your lack of cooperation can make them think that perhaps it is.

Does this other person really have a chargeable offense on you?
Talk to a lawyer.

Answer 5

To not respond to a statement against you is tantamount to agreeing to what the person has alleged.

Your side of the story needs to be heard. However, it may be a good idea to find out what the person has alleged before you voluntarily go to the police station. In order to respond, you need that information.

If there was any evidence of a crime, you would have already been picked up by the police for questioning.

Finally, if there is any substance to the allegation(s), consult with an attorney before you submit a statement or report to the police station.

Answer 6

I am not a layer and this is not legal advice. But, in the spirit of the question, you can always tell a cop to ‘pound sand.’ It could help or hurt your case. If you did something wrong, then you should take responsibility for it. If you’re innocent, you should sing like a bird and clear your name. If you did something criminal, and evidence is against you, then you should seek the advice from an attorney before you give a statement to the police. Good luck to you.

Answer 7

i had a matching experience-sounds like a 'self belief trickster' . Ditch your colleague as a chum-are you helpful she is even telling the fact? there are a variety of of of procedures on the internet to stop touch with somebody-theres no way he can declare psychological injury while all he needed to do exchange into block this different man or woman. maximum folk on the internet have pseudo call-its a secure practices precaution. additionally 2008? heavily ? i could tell your artwork chum to placed on a severe high quality gown and hit upon a guy interior the actual international. and as for the guy, he might have ip addresses and he possibly savvy with archives yet basically a courtroom order will demonstrate the info he says he has or maybe then this is not uncomplicated to coach which you have been the guy taking in techniques how some time past it exchange into. i think of he thinks you're abit stupid and a human Atm device sorry. additionally the be conscious 'extortion' comprises techniques!! forget approximately relating to the fool.

Answer 8

Give your statement only if you want to end up on charges. You have a constitutional right to not speak to the police and to protect yourself. You do not need to visit with the police or answer a single question, not one. If this moves along without your statement, and you get indicted, your lawyer will do your talking....period. The prisons are full of people who gave a police officer a formal statement.

O.K. - the police oficer who answered the question was clear. In most cases he interviewed a person with a preconceived notion that he had enoufh in evidence to indict. In fact, he was clear to state theat only a minority of his interviews ended up highlighting enough additional evidence to warrant his changing his mind on suggesting charges be filed. In fact, most of the freely given interviews resulted in him identifying BS form someone he had already felt were guilty. Police have two primary jobs, 1) protection and assistance of individuals who are in danger 2) Investigating crimes to bring the guilty to justice in our legal system.

He claimed that lawyers are only of use after charges are filed. This is completely wrong. In fact, it is highly preferable for any individual under suspicion of crime to speak with an attorney to protect his or her rights under the constitution. Going to chat voluntarily with the Police is not only a bad idea if you are under investigation for a crime, but may end up assisting the Police to put you in jail. I am against crime and criminal behavior nor advocate either. I am squarely of the belief that the Police can, and unfortunately, do abuse our great system and help innocent people go to jail. It is their job folks. So, do not talk to the police and get yourself a lawyer to represent you if suspected of a crime. lastly, folks ...respect our Police at all times and the job they have to do on a daily basis. Just unerstand that our constitution gives us great protection, see self-incrimination and search and seizure riules to start....use them.

Answer 9

Own up to what you did and give the statement. If you think that getting away with a crime is a victory for you, then you are wrong. You might be lucky this time, but remember, the jails in all 50 states are full of smart ppl (or smart alecs) who ran out of luck.

Answer 10

If you've done nothing wrong it won't hurt you to tell the officer the truth. If you have done something wrong and lie about it when the truth comes out the courts will be tougher on you at sentencing time

Answer 11

Well if you want any hope of not being prosecuted or being found not guilty if you are, you better give that statement. Get a lawyer though.