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Again once you've asked for your lawyer interrogation must stop. So there will be no probing. But they might take you down to the police station and wait for y

by jfager 16y ago

Again once you've asked for your lawyer interrogation must stop. So there will be no probing. But they might take you down to the police station and wait for your lawyer to show up. Do you see that as a successful outcome? Second if you're being interrogated than you're suspected of something. You're just plain wrong about that. They may think you're a witness or have information that they need.

TomOfTTB 16y ago
There's a difference between being a witness and being interrogated. I'd dare say you have a civic duty to answer questions that aren't about you if a Cop asks them. Cops wouldn't be able to catch actual criminals if citizens don't talk to them at all. But once they start asking about you that's when you lawyer up
- jfager 16y ago
  If you actually have information and there's not even the slightest possibility that it could turn bad for you, then sure, be a good citizen. But if you don't have any information, or if there's even the most remote possibility at all that you could somehow be implicated by the information you have (or by the fact that you have the information in the first place), then plainly, simply, and politely: "I have nothing to say" and "May I go now?".
- branden 16y ago
  I'd dare say you have a civic duty to answer questions that aren't about you if a Cop asks them. I think this is the key difference of perspective between you and the people you're debating. But what's interesting is that you're arguing the tactical disadvantages of something you believe people have a civic duty not to do. Are you sure one opinion isn't influencing the other?
philwelch 16y ago
Can American police actually take you to the police station against your will if you're not under arrest? They can ask, of course, but no matter how forcefully they ask they're still just asking.
- jfager 16y ago
  No, but why would you say "not without my lawyer" if you weren't actually willing to get a lawyer and talk? If you make the offer with the intent to rescind it if they take you up on it, why make the offer in the first place?
  - philwelch 16y ago
    I wouldn't, personally. Even if you get a lawyer, the lawyer says not to talk. I already know that for free.

by jfager 16y ago

TomOfTTB 16y ago

There's a difference between being a witness and being interrogated. I'd dare say you have a civic duty to answer questions that aren't about you if a Cop asks them. Cops wouldn't be able to catch actual criminals if citizens don't talk to them at all. But once they start asking about you that's when you lawyer up

jfager 16y ago
If you actually have information and there's not even the slightest possibility that it could turn bad for you, then sure, be a good citizen. But if you don't have any information, or if there's even the most remote possibility at all that you could somehow be implicated by the information you have (or by the fact that you have the information in the first place), then plainly, simply, and politely: "I have nothing to say" and "May I go now?".
branden 16y ago
I'd dare say you have a civic duty to answer questions that aren't about you if a Cop asks them. I think this is the key difference of perspective between you and the people you're debating. But what's interesting is that you're arguing the tactical disadvantages of something you believe people have a civic duty not to do. Are you sure one opinion isn't influencing the other?

philwelch 16y ago

Can American police actually take you to the police station against your will if you're not under arrest? They can ask, of course, but no matter how forcefully they ask they're still just asking.

jfager 16y ago
No, but why would you say "not without my lawyer" if you weren't actually willing to get a lawyer and talk? If you make the offer with the intent to rescind it if they take you up on it, why make the offer in the first place?
- philwelch 16y ago
  I wouldn't, personally. Even if you get a lawyer, the lawyer says not to talk. I already know that for free.