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> anything you say to an officer of the law might be misremembered later and there is nothing you can do against that. No. Anything you say can and will be us
by maratd 13y ago
> anything you say to an officer of the law might be misremembered later and there is nothing you can do against that.
No.
Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. If you lie about anything, even something trivial, that is a federal offense and you can go to jail for that. And many people have.
It has nothing to do with mis-remembering. You have no idea why they're talking to you. It might be about someone else. It might be about you. But you can bet it's about someone or something. And something you say may incriminate either yourself or someone else.
> On the other hand, in cases like this, it would seem rude and disproportionate to not even meet these fine fellows from the FBI.
This is foolish. They're not there to pop in and say hello. They're doing their job and cooperating with that work is not in your self interest.
> How often is law enforcement confronted with people that don't talk to them on general principle?
Rarely. Most people are scared and don't shut up. However, when they do, it's almost always a lawyer and that assumption will work in your favor.
> Does that really make you suspicious or is it quite common?
It doesn't make you suspicious. See the above. Don't be rude or curt. Be kind, they are human after all. Just explain that you are exercising your rights and wish them a good day.
- dwild 13y agoDon't they need to read the miranda right before?
- jlgaddis 13y agoNo.
- dragonwriter 13y ago> This is foolish. They're not there to pop in and say hello. They're doing their job and cooperating with that work is not in your self interest. If they are investigating a crime (past or ongoing) that they believe you may have information about which has harmed, is harming, or may in the future harm your community (and, particularly, you specifically!) cooperating in their work may indeed be in your interest, whether you actually have useful information or can let them rule out that you do without raising new suspicions. Of course, you don't know that that's the case when they come and talk to you, and if they are targetting you, its not in your self interest to cooperate. But just as it an error to neglect the possibility that you might be the target, it is an error to neglect the possibility that they might be investigating something that, if there work is not done, will harm you.
- maratd 13y ago> cooperating in their work may indeed be in your interest It may or it may not. You have no idea. They can lie to you with impunity. You're the one barred from lying. They are not. If you can't trust them to tell the truth, you have no way to ascertain why they are speaking to you and whether it is in your best interest to cooperate. Since it's an unknown, best to assume the worst outcome and the worst outcome is that they're coming for you. Every defense lawyer, even the incompetent ones, will tell you to keep your mouth shut. There's a reason for that. If you think you win brownie points for helping, you don't.