most American's have no lawyer to call. the expression "don't talk to police without your lawyer present" should be extrapolated to mean all of the following:

most American's have no lawyer to call. the expression "don't talk to police without your lawyer present" should be extrapolated to mean all of the following: if the police want to question you, say no. if the police serve you with a warrant and detain you for questioning, exercise your 5th amendment right (the right to remain silent, so as to avoid self-incrimination). the only thing you should say to a police officer when you are being questioned is that you will not answer any questions until you have consulted legal council. if you do not have legal council available you may request a public defender (another legal right of citizens). if you have the means to hire a private attorney instead, its probably better to do that. only a lawyer who is professionally obligated to represent you can give you good legal advice about what you should and should not say to the police.