What will the police think if I hire an attorney?

The belief that it will “look bad” if you hire a lawyer is a dangerous misconception and can result in criminal charges that were otherwise avoidable.

Hiring a Lawyer Makes You Look Smart to Law Enforcement, Not Guilty

“Does it look bad if I hire a criminal defense lawyer?” In the words of Saul Goodman, “actually, it’s getting arrested that makes people look guilty, even the innocent ones. And innocent people get arrested every day.”

When local, state, and federal police investigate a lawyer, doctor, business leader, college professor, or powerful politician, they fully expect that the person will immediately retain a respected and influential lawyer. They expect a responsible person to hire an attorney even if the allegations are false or untruthful. They understand a person under investigation will hire a lawyer if they want their rights fully protected.

If the police are talking to or investigating you, they probably already think you are guilty. Law enforcement officers play various games during an investigation. These investigative techniques include making the suspect feel they are not a target of the investigation. In cadet training, significant time is devoted to teaching officers how to trick people into a false sense of security so that they do not retain a lawyer to protect them.

Protecting you is not about making you “look good” or “look bad”; it is about doing what is necessary to help you avoid charges. It is critically important to take measures to prevent criminal charges if possible. Your best hope of avoiding charges is to hire a criminal defense lawyer as early in the process as possible.

Prosecutors Determine Charges Based on Evidence, Not Looks

A prosecutor will not file charges unless there is evidence. Evidence can be tainted, misinterpreted, or inaccurate, but some evidence is required before a charge will go to court. One thing that cannot and will not determine if there are criminal charges is how a person “looks” or if they “look bad.” The hope is that the police and prosecution will not file criminal charges in court for a person under investigation. Any concern regarding their feelings about that person is not consequential in the grand scheme. A criminal defense lawyer with a track record of helping clients avoid charges will know how to take all measures to stop criminal charges. Put simply, how a person “looks” is not evidence.

Suspects who fail to hire counsel will invariably and inadvertently assist the government in obtaining evidence that results in charges. Law enforcement can misinterpret a statement, gesture, or glance of the eyes as incriminating evidence. When an officer is trying and hoping to hear or see something to build a case, they can easily misconstrue a remark or someone’s body language. For example, if someone is nervous talking to the police and is trembling, sweating, or avoiding eye contact, these human and innocent responses can be viewed as a consciousness of guilt. Perceived consciousness of guilt is demonstrated by circumstantial evidence and can result in felony or misdemeanor charges. Hiring an attorney shows that you mean business and will stand up to false accusations or illegally obtained information. If you wonder if you will look bad if you hire a criminal defense lawyer, you must understand that it will actually make you look wise, intelligent, and responsible.

It would be best if you did not speak to the police.

You cannot advocate for yourself because anything you say “can and will be used against you.” Your attorney can speak on your behalf without the danger of a police officer claiming you incriminated yourself with words, actions, mannerisms, or something else. Police use tactics that interrogation and psychological experts developed to trick people into talking. Police regularly make false representations, such as that they are “just trying to clear things up,” that they “consider you a witness and not a suspect,” they “just want to help,” that they “will not arrest you,” or that “if you stay silent, it looks suspicious.”

The most disingenuous claim made by the police is that you would talk with them if you are innocent. Police officers know they’re lying when they make such statements; however, their training teaches them to say things along these lines to get incriminating evidence. The police will be more likely to try and trick or manipulate someone who appears misinformed and cavalier about criminal allegations. If a person does not hire qualified legal representation, law enforcement officers will see them as perfect candidates for trickery and devious police tactics. When a person retains a respected criminal defense lawyer, the police know you are serious about your defense.

The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution exists for a fundamental reason. No one should be compelled to be a witness against themselves, and a person’s silence is not evidence. It is indisputable that Innocent people are charged with crimes all the time. Police are searching for evidence, not the truth. They are on a mission to solve a crime and file charges, not achieve justice. As previously stated, the police can see the slightest innocent nervous reaction or imperfect response to a question as incriminating. 100% of police and prosecutors would tell their family members under investigation to invoke their right to remain silent and not speak to the police. A police officer would admit the worst thing that could happen to their investigation is if a suspect hires a criminal defense lawyer.

The Advantages of Pre-Charge Representation by a Criminal Defense Lawyer

An attorney who is adept at pre-charge representation can help a client in a multitude of ways. In addition to shielding the client from over-zealous investigators, the attorney can:

find and preserve favorable evidence,
consider and coordinate polygraph examinations,
hire investigators to interview helpful witnesses,
advocate the client’s innocence or mitigating information to police and prosecutors,
present mitigating information that is unknown to law enforcement,
establish a strong defense and make it clear that the client is innocent,
negotiate to reduce the seriousness or number of impending charges,
recommend therapy or other support for the client that will eventually help the attorney to secure a future, favorable plea bargain or sentence,
facilitate a low or personal bond,
arrange for the client to surrender on a warrant, as opposed to being arrested, and
the possibility of turning things around and pressing charges against someone who made false allegations against you.

A trained and seasoned lawyer will know how to make all the right moves to protect and defend the client, avoid charges, or lessen the seriousness of unavoidable felony or misdemeanor charges. Hiring a respected and known attorney will ensure that the client looks intelligent, responsible, and serious about their defense. If you do not hire a lawyer, the government might charge you with a crime you did not commit. If you did commit a crime, failing to hire an experienced lawyer can result in overly severe charges that were avoidable. Related article: Hiring a female defense attorney.

Avoid Charges – Hire a Top Lawyer Immediately

The Defense Team at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. has an unparalleled track record of helping clients who are under investigation avoid felony and misdemeanor charges. We know every tactic to protect and shield our clients from over-zealous prosecutors. If charges are unavoidable, we will work quickly to lessen the severity of the charges filed in court. Finally, we will negotiate with the police to prevent your arrest and arrange for an opportunity for you to self-surrender in court without being taken into custody in front of family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers. It does not look bad if you hire a criminal defense lawyer- instead, it makes it clear that you take your defense seriously!

Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete an online Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.