One of your fundamental rights in the United States is the right to remain silent. The police can ask you questions, but you’re not obligated to answer. They may try to convince you to answer in various ways, such as telling you that things will go easier for you or that you’ll be allowed to go if you just answer the questions, but you still have the right to remain silent the entire time.
The first reason why this is important is because you do not have to incriminate yourself. If you are arrested and charged, the prosecution has to prove that you are guilty in court. Your right to remain silent keeps you from saying something that could lead to your own arrest or conviction.
Making mistakes
One thing to remember is that you could inadvertently incriminate yourself without meaning to, but that can still be used against you in court. This is why it’s often best not even to apologize after causing a car accident, for example. You don’t want to admit that any wrongdoing was your fault, so it’s often best to say nothing.
Giving your attorney time
Another fundamental right that you have in the United States is the right to legal representation if you are arrested. Your right to remain silent is important because it gives you and your attorney time to meet and work together. It may be that you do feel comfortable answering questions from the police and you have nothing to hide, but you just want your attorney to be present so that you can be sure you avoid any critical mistakes or oversights.
When you’re facing serious criminal charges, your future hangs in the balance. Make sure you know exactly what rights and legal defense options you have.
