Austin Police Are Not Your Friends

Austin Police Are Not Your Friends

– HG, Texas

Answer:

I was reading an article on a prosecution website a few days ago. The prosecutor was writing about defendants testifying during their trial. One of the series of questions to a defendant is why were you doing the things that caused the officer to suspect the defendant of being intoxicated.

The prosecutor was encouraging the police to try to engage the defendant in conversation so as to lock in their story. Be the defendant’s friend. That way once the defendant talks to their attorney they won’t be able to craft a slick explanation of their actions.

Lesson one from this, the police do many good things for us, but when someone gets pulled over the police are not that person’s friend. Politeness on the part of the person being stopped is always a good choice.

Do not engage in polite chit chat. If you have taken medication or had a few drinks, politely refuse to talk. Don’t say anything other than your name, driver’s information and insurance.

You will generally be better off. Why help the prosecutors convict you?

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