THE POLICE WANT ME TO COME INTO THE STATION OR MEET THEM SOMEWHERE. IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE MAY HAVE TOLD THE POLICE THAT I BROKE THE LAW. WILL THEY ARREST ME WHEN I MEET WITH THEM?
They might. If the police want to meet with you and it seems like they are investigating you for having committed an offence, there is a good chance that the police do not just want to “meet with you,” but also plan to arrest you and try to take a statement from you.
Sometimes, the police ask to meet with people when they already have a warrant for the person’s arrest. Other times, they have enough evidence to arrest someone and they simply want the person to meet them so they can be formally placed under arrest. And in other cases, the police do not have enough evidence to charge someone, and they are hoping the person tells them something that gives them enough evidence to arrest them.
If the police want to meet with you, you should consider calling a lawyer for advice before meeting with them. (See below.) If you meet with the police and they tell you that you are under arrest or that you are being detained, tell them you want to speak to a lawyer immediately. You have the right to speak with a lawyer before the police question you or attempt to take a statement from you.
If Have Been Arrested or Taken to a Police Station
- You have the right to remain silent and the right to talk to a lawyer before you talk to the police. Don’t tell the police anything except your name and address. Don’t give any explanations, excuses or stories. You can make your defense later, in court, based on what you and your lawyer decide is best.
- You have a right to make a local phone call. Never talk about the facts of your case over the telephone as your conversation will be recorded.
- Do not make any decisions in your case or sign any statements until you have talked with a lawyer.
