What should I do if I am arrested?

The first and only statement that you should give to a law enforcement officer is, “I want to speak to a lawyer.” If you are arrested, repeat this statement exactly, over and over again, until the police allow you to contact your lawyer. When you are arrested, this is Rule #1: Keep You Mouth Shut, Even If It Means Spending The Night In Jail!

Being arrested can be a horrible experience. It can be an embarrassing, shocking and ultimately a very costly encounter. Every time the police give you a chance to speak, you should immediately request an attorney. When speaking to the police, always be courteous and polite, but let them know up front that you are not talking, have no intention of talking, and no matter what they say or do you will not change your mind. Do not succumb to your immediate desire to “just get out of there.” Always remember that the only reason they want you to talk is to obtain statements to use against you and to help them convict you. There is zero chance that you will convince the police to change their mind and “let you go.”

Why is it so risky to talk to the police?

First of all, re-read the statement above, and always remember that you should not tell the police anything without talking to your lawyer first. Police are specially trained to interrogate you. If they suspect that you have committed a crime, they will do everything possible to get a confession out of you. Regardless of what they taught you in school, the police are not your friends in this situation! They will tell you lies that will make you think that there is no way you could ever prove that you are not guilty. They will isolate you, and then act like they are your friends and they are there to help you. They will tell you that this is your opportunity to give your side of the story. They will tell you that a lawyer will not help you, but hurt you. In order to give you a feeling of friendliness, they will minimize guilt and say that they understand and that this is your one opportunity to tell your side of the story. They will lie and act like they want to help you, when truthfully they are just interested in getting you to admit to the crime, even if you are totally innocent of the crime. The police have special techniques to increase levels of stress and anxiety upon you and make you believe that admitting to the crime is the best way out. A detective will isolate you from your friends and any supportive relationships. He will demonstrate that he is in complete control of the interrogation process, and will accuse you of committing the crime. Then he will express his unwavering confidence in his belief that you are guilty of the crime, by way of saying things like "We're not here to discuss if you did it, but why you did it." He will tell you all kinds of lies about all the evidence that the police have against you, and will continue to tell you that no one will believe your protestations of innocence. If he asks you to submit to a stress analysis or a polygraph test, it will not show your innocence, it will only be used to skew your statements and show that you are guilty.

As you can imagine, only a fool would talk to the police without a lawyer. They might have one, two or even three detectives interrogating you at one time, then they might leave you alone in a room while they watch you sweat through a two-way mirror. These detectives are highly trained with psychological techniques to break you down and make you confess to crimes, whether you committed them or not. Once again, at every opportunity, ask to speak to your lawyer immediately. About the only right that you have at this point is the right to stay silent and a right to a lawyer. It is truly amazing how few people exercise this right when they are arrested. Do not talk to the police, keep quiet, be polite and ask to speak to a lawyer.

How do I go about hiring a lawyer? What if I cannot afford a lawyer?

First and foremost, you should retain the services of a lawyer as soon as possible after your arrest. I cannot stress this fact enough. If you cannot afford the services of a lawyer, one will be appointed to you by the court. However, if you can find the money to hire your own lawyer, do it immediately.

That being said, you want to make sure that you do not hire the wrong attorney. Don't follow the mistake of millions before you by opening the yellow pages and calling the first person that you see. While you might save a few dollars shopping for the lowest price, you may end up paying more in the end. Be sure to look for a lawyer that is an experienced, qualified, and committed criminal defense attorney.

With over 19 years of experience, Attorney Olson has the knowledge and expertise in all aspects of criminal defense representation in the district, superior, and supreme courts of New Hampshire.

Mr. Olson devotes his practice exclusively to criminal defense in the State of New Hampshire, with a strong emphasis on both the pre-trial motion phase and the trial phase of legal advocacy. During his career, he has handled and tried a wide range of criminal cases in New Hampshire. His trial experience, along with a personal commitment to his clients, combine to offer the prospective client competent representation in a supportive, hands-on environment. As a criminal defense lawyer, his philosophy is grounded in the strong belief that his clients should be fully informed about every aspect of their case as it progresses.

• Payment Plans Available
• Most Cases Handled For A Flat Fee
• No Charge Initial Consultation (1/2 hour maximum)
• Visa & MasterCard Accepted

Mr. Olson looks forward to each new case as a fresh challenge to succeed. Call him today for a free consultation at (603) 425-6555.

Click here if you prefer to contact Mr. Olson via email attyolson@comcast.net