Talking to the police

• Am I in trouble if the police talk to me?
• Am I in trouble if the police talk to me?
• What should I tell the police?
• What should I tell the police?
• What if the police keep asking me questions?
• What if the police keep asking me questions?
• Do I ever have to speak to the police?
• Do I ever have to speak to the police?
• If I don’t say anything, will I look guilty?
• If I don’t say anything, will I look guilty?
• When should I speak to a lawyer?
• When should I speak to a lawyer?
• Who can I call if the police arrest me or won’t let me go?
• Who can I call if the police arrest me or won’t let me go?
• Can I talk to friends and family about what I’m accused of?
• Can I talk to friends and family about what I’m accused of?
• Can anyone find out what I tell my lawyer?
• Can anyone find out what I tell my lawyer?

Can I talk to friends and family about what I’m accused of?

You might think that people you trust, like your parents, teachers, friends, a therapist, or a cellmate, will keep what you tell them secret. But very often they can't.

If they have to go to court as witnesses in your case, they'll have to tell the court what you told them.

The only person who can keep what you tell them private is your lawyer.

The court might also order you not to contact certain people. For example, this could be a friend who is accused of a crime or the victim of the crime you're accused of. If this happens, then you can't talk, text, email, or communicate in any way with those people.

Usually, the police or the court will give you papers that tell you if there are any of these special rules that you must follow.

You can ask your lawyer if you have any questions.