I was at a shopping mall, and the car beside me got brokin into, when i came out the police were already there, they want to know if I saw anything, they called me 2 days later, they must of gotton my info from my plates, the ldy cop wants me to come in and right a statement, I said I dont have the time, cause its like 60 miles away. she said if I dont there would be a warrant for my arrest, would that be considered a forced statement.
2007-11-09 21:44:40 · 12 answers · asked by chris B 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Don't believe ANYTHING out of a cop's mouth. That would be coercion anyway.
2007-11-09 21:48:06 · answer #1 · answered by neoplop 7 · 2⤊ 5⤋
A Police Officer can request a statement if they believe you have information to offer. You can request to give the statement to a local Police station. Your statement will more than likely state, "I was not present when the car was broken into and I am unable to offer any further information.
2007-11-09 22:05:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As far as I know, you do not have to make any statement. Unless you are being charged with something, you do not have to go make a statement. And even if you are being charged, you do not have to make a statement.
If you are feeling backed into a corner, go fill out the statement with something like this: "I did not see what happened."
2007-11-09 21:56:46 · answer #3 · answered by equal_opposites 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the officer and ask what the specific charge will be. You saw nothing right? Call the police dept. and speak to his superior. In fact call the DA and explain that you saw nothing. Write down everything. Go down to your local police station and ask them what they think. Write this down.
You do not have to make a statement and if you do a bit of prep you will be able to tell them to go away. And if you have to travel there after having a warrent issued you will of course be hiring an attorney.
You need to do this in order to protect yourself.
2007-11-11 04:34:21 · answer #4 · answered by jackson 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes...just make out a statement saying you did not see or know anything about what took place, when something did happen in that area, that day! End of Statement! Sign your name and date it!
2007-11-09 22:05:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Last I understood, that would be forced servitude-slavery.
They need a statement; they should come to you for it at your convenience. Once you've made it clear you have no pertinent information to divulge, it seems they should back off with the threats.
Ask what charges would be brought against you, and if they'd be along to give you a ride, should they serve a bench warrant.
2007-11-09 21:53:18 · answer #6 · answered by omnisource 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
VERY SIMPLY PUT TO YOU, BE POLITE AND REAFFIRM THE FACT, " THAT YOU SAW NOTHING, HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE CAR BREAK IN; EXCEPT THAT WHEN YOU CAME OUT OF THE STORE THEY WERE NEXT TO YOUR CAR."
GET AN OFFICER'S NAME AS A POINT OF CONTACT TO MAIL THE STATEMENT ABOVE TO.
HAVE IT NOTARIZED AS A LEGAL DOCUMENT.
KEEP THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT, FOR FUTURE REFERENCES.
SEND THEM A COPY A COPY.
THIS WAY YOU HAVE COOPERATED, ASSISTED WITH WHAT THEY WANT, (A STATEMENT) TOLD THEM WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW, THAT YOU HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS INCIDENT, END OF CONVERSATION. ( A XEROX IS AN ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENT TO THE COURT OR POLICE AS A TRUE COPY OF THE SAID DOCUMENT YOU RETAIN FOR YOUR COPY)
IF THEY PERSIST BEYOND THIS THRESHOLD, THEY ARE CROSSING THE BOUNDARIES OF HARASSMENT.(INTIMIDATION, I DOUBT IT SHOULD GO ANY FURTHER THEN THIS.)
YOU THEN CAN XEROX YOUR LETTER (ORIGINAL) AND GIVE IT TO AN ATTORNEY, WHO CAN WRITE A VERY POLITE, TO THE POINT LETTER, TO THE CHIEF, THE COURT JUDGE, ABOUT THESE OFFICERS OVERSTEPPING THEIR BOUNDARIES.
IF THEY RETALIATE AND WANT TO STOP YOU FOR NOT COOPERATING WHICH WOULD BE REALLY STUPID (BUT??) YOU NOW HAVE FURTHER GROUNDS FOR RETALIATION AGAINST THEM, THE CHIEF AND THE DEPARTMENT.
IT'S LIKE PLAYING CHESS ALWAYS STAY TWO OR THREE MOVES AHEAD OF YOUR OPPONENT.
2007-11-09 23:37:16 · answer #7 · answered by ahsoasho2u2 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No don't offer any statement that would be used against you. Contact a lawyer if they threaten you.
2007-11-10 01:20:22 · answer #8 · answered by John 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i dont think so......amendment 5 of the constitution protects the accused and possible witnesses from being questioned heavily.........the amendment is well known as "the right to remain silent".........the only information you are required to give is your name.........
but i wouldn't throw your contitutional rights at the cop firsthand........i would try to reason with him and just ecplain that you did not know wut happened.......
if that does not work, then you might have a civil case against this cop.........a civil case is a court case where people whose rights have been violated, are brought to the attention of the judge.....
2007-11-09 23:16:37 · answer #9 · answered by James Boroznoff 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although it is a well-known fact that cops are allowed to lie to citizens to get them to talk about one thing or another, it is your civic duty to cooperate in this case, if you did indeed see something. What if you'd been the one injured, and a witness refused to cooperate on your behalf?
See if you can work something out by visiting your local PD, instead of making the 60 mile trip. If not, make *them* come over at your convenience.
2007-11-09 21:52:10 · answer #10 · answered by TURANDOT 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋