Rules for suspecting criminals - not yet investigated

Golden Rules for Suspects in a Police Investigation

A police investigation is an unpleasant event for anyone. In the best-case scenario, you are summoned and have time to prepare; in the less favorable scenario, you are taken unexpectedly and without warning.

In any case, to be prepared, due to mental pressure, you may say things that could harm you later. Lack of knowledge and the unknown could also lead you to say or agree to things that are not in your best interest.

Here are 10 rules for behavior during a police investigation:

Clarify your status

Were you summoned for questioning as a suspect? Or perhaps as a witness to an event?

As a suspect, you will be questioned under caution, and the investigator will first detail what the suspicions against you are (remember them well). As a suspect, you can exercise your “right to remain silent” concerning anything that could or might incriminate you.

If you are questioned as a witness, you do not have the privilege of the right to remain silent; you must answer all the questions asked of you.

Try to remain calm

Your behavior is an important factor during the investigation. Despite your significant stress and the pressure applied by the investigator, you must remain calm. Sometimes the police have only limited information, and unusual behavior can reinforce a certain direction in the investigation. It is also important to remember that different statements made by the police investigator are not always accurate or correct.

The Right to a Phone Call

From the moment you are informed that you are a suspect, you are entitled to a phone call. You should not waive this right and must notify a lawyer, a family member, a close friend, or anyone who can assist you immediately, about the investigation. Remember that this is your right even before the investigation begins.

Insist on your right to consult with a lawyer.

Remember that this is a basic right, and it is even a 'duty' to be represented. Receiving legal advice before the police investigation begins and even waiting for a lawyer who arrives within a reasonable time (even if they might not be present during the investigation itself) is important. If this right is not granted to you, it constitutes a violation of the law, so it is important not to compromise or give up this right.

Short and precise answer

When questioned in an investigation, you should provide a response that is as short and to the point as possible. Answer only what you were asked, in an accurate, calm, and polite manner.

"Don't remember / Don't know"

A response of "I don't remember" or "I don't know" is legitimate. If you do not remember or do not know, do not try to guess or estimate, even if you think the estimate might help. Answer only what you explicitly know or remember precisely.

The investigator is not your friend – they are a professional.

Always remember! The investigator is not your friend and is trained to conduct the investigation in the best possible way.