Do I have to answer police questions if I haven’t been arrested?
An officer left a card at my house asking me to come in “for a chat” about an incident at my workplace. I don’t think I did anything wrong. Should I just go and explain?
1 lawyer answer
In many countries, including the US, people generally have a right to remain silent and are not required to answer police questions in a voluntary interview. Being invited “for a chat” can still mean you are being treated as a possible suspect, even if nobody says so.
Even innocent people can unintentionally say things that are misunderstood, incomplete, or inconsistent with other evidence. For that reason, many people choose to speak to a criminal defense lawyer before any interview. A lawyer can often contact the officer, find out what the inquiry is about, and attend the interview with you or advise whether to attend at all.
Remain polite, do not destroy or alter any documents or messages, and avoid discussing the incident with colleagues who may be witnesses.
This is general information, not legal advice — speak to a licensed lawyer about your situation.
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