Do I have to answer detective questions?

Q: Do I have to answer questions asked by law enforcement officers? A: No. You have the constitutional right to remain silent.

What happens if you dont talk to a detective?

A Detective Can Issue a Warrant if You Will Not Talk to Them (or if you do talk to them). Detectives only need probable cause that a crime occurred to issue a warrant to arrest or take you into custody immediately. Probable cause is not enough evidence to prove a case once it enters the courts though.

What does it mean if a detective calls you?

Detectives will typically ask to speak to you for one of two reasons: either they believe you witnessed a crime or youre a suspect in a crime they are investigating. When a detective wants to talk to you because youre a suspect, they will generally be very nice and even friendly.

How long can I be under investigation?

To make matters worse, the investigation process has no maximum time limit, meaning you could be kept waiting for weeks, months or years before you discover the outcome. Having the threat of prosecution hanging over your head can be very unnerving, and may even damage your ability to earn an income.

Can you refuse to talk to a detective?

You can refuse to talk to a detective at any time. They will probably not leave you alone, but you do not have to talk to them; even if youre arrested (see more on this below). Detectives and other police can legally lie to you. They do it all the time.

How many years does it take to be a detective?

How Long Does it Take To Become a Detective? While the path towards becoming a police detective may vary, generally, after obtaining a high school diploma or GED, it can take anywhere from five to eight years to be promoted from a police officer to a detective.

What happens after being released under investigation?

People suspected of a crime may now be “released under investigation” instead of being given a bail date to return to the police station. This means you have been released from custody without charge and no obligation to return on bail to the police station for the offence for which you were questioned for.

Why you should never talk to the police?

You cannot talk your way out of being arrested and you cannot give them any information that will help you at trial. Anything you say can be used against you but it does not work the other way around where it can work for you. The judge will dismiss it as “hearsay” and it will not help you in court.

How long can you be under investigation?

Statute of Limitations in Federal Crime Cases So if you have still not been charged after the time set by the statute of limitations, the investigation is effectively over. For most federal crimes, the statute of limitations is five years.