You have the right to remain silent. Use it.

When a detective calls and asks you to come in for an interview, it feels like an invitation to clear things up. It is not. As lawyers who spent years on the other side of that table, we can tell you what the interview is actually for: obtaining a confession.

The interview is not for your benefit

Investigators are not required to tell you the truth about the case against you — and often, they won’t. They may say they have evidence they don’t have. They may claim a witness puts you at the scene. They may suggest that things will “go easy” if you just explain what happened. Understand: they cannot make that deal. Charging decisions belong to prosecutors, not to the officer across the table — but anything you say on that recording belongs to the State forever.

Partial confessions hurt too

People think they’re safe if they only agree to the harmless parts — “yes, I was there, but I didn’t do anything.” At trial, that recording becomes the State’s exhibit: your own voice placing you at the scene. The interview exists to produce those clips.

The magic words

You do not have to be rude. You do not have to run. You have to say one sentence: “I want to speak with my lawyer.” Then stop talking. The interview must end, and nothing about asking for counsel can be used to suggest guilt. Talk to a lawyer first — if it turns out an interview serves you, we’ll be sitting beside you when it happens.