Remain Silent

The most important right you must consider in the event you are arrested?

The police will even tell you, “You have the right to remain silent.”

As Americans we have many rights, and should be grateful for them. But one is so often thrown away by people who are stopped by the police, The right to Remain silent. If the police start asking you a lot of questions while you are stopped it may seem like they are being friendly or it might seem like they are accusing you of something. It doesn’t matter the tone of their questions, what they are trying to do is make a successful arrest. They want a conviction and know that “anything you say can be used against you.”

The right covers a number of issues centered on the right of the accused or the defendant to refuse to comment or provide an answer. It applies when questioned – either prior to or during legal proceedings in a court of law. This can be the right to avoid self-incrimination or the right to remain silent when questioned.

The right is part of what is known as Miranda Rights. Miranda Rights were created in 1966 as a result of the United States Supreme Court case of Miranda v. Arizona.

If you are stopped by the police while driving a car you must provide your driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance.  Have these documents ready whenever you are driving so that you can quickly hand them out the window.  If they ask you any other questions you do not have to answer and have the right to have your attorney present for questioning.  Have my card handy!