How to Protect Your Child During A Police Investigation

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By LouMinery
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There's a knock at the door. They identify themselves as police officers or detectives. They're investigating a crime and they want to talk with your son or daughter. What do you do?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Calm Demeanor
A Closed Mouth
Telephone Book

Step 1

If your son or daughter is present, send them out of the room.
Step 2

Do not ask your child any questions while the officers are present
Step 3

Ask the officers for their identification and business cards with their contact information
Step 4

Ask the officers what crime they are investigating.
Step 5

Ask them if your child is a suspect in the crime.
Step 6

Advise the officers that you will discuss the matter with your child and either you or your lawyer will contact them. If they persist in asking questions advise them that neither you nor your child will make any statement without the advice of a lawyer.
Step 7

Ask them to leave.

Tips & Warnings

If you have a family lawyer, call him or her. Even if your regular lawyer doesn't practice criminal law, he or she will refer you to someone competent.
If you do not have a family lawyer, call your family or friends for recommendations. Another option is to call the Clerk of Courts. Clerks cannot recommend a lawyer but will generally provide two or three names of criminal defense attorneys who regularly practice in their court.
If you can't afford a lawyer, do not make any oral or written statements to the police. Do not allow your child to make any oral or written statements to the police. Without your cooperation, the police may not be able to gather enough evidence to charge your child. If they do charge your child, your court-appointed lawyer will have a better chance of beating the case without statements the prosecutor might use as incriminating evidence.
As a practicing criminal defense lawyer for more than two decades, about 80 per cent of my adult and juvenile clients would never have been charged, or would have been found not guilty, if they had kept their mouths shut.