Before a police officer can interrogate someone, the suspect must be read his or her Miranda rights. An article from the NOLO Network elaborates further:
“It doesn’t matter whether an interrogation occurs in a jail, at the scene of a crime, on a busy downtown street, or the middle of an open field: If a person is in custody (deprived of his or her freedom of action in any significant way), the police must read them their Miranda rights if they want to question the suspect and use the suspect’s answers as evidence at trial.”
The Miranda Rights are important because they protect a person who has been accused of a crime from self-incrimination. If you find yourself on the wrong end of a police interrogation, be sure to take full advantage of the following rights:
Right to Remain Silent
It is best to remain silent until you have spoken to a lawyer. Do not forget that even if you agree to talk to police officers at the start of an interrogation, you have the right to stop the interview at any time. Remember to always verbally invoke your right to silence. You must say aloud, words to the effect of, “I wish to remain silent.”
Right to Counsel
Always take advantage of this right, especially when accused of something serious like a sex crime. Once you have contacted a lawyer, it is best to have him or her present during any questioning so he or she can protect your rights. Never consent to an interrogation if your experienced Houston sex crimes lawyer is not present in the room with you.
In the event that you are interrogated on suspicion of committing a sex crime, contact an experienced lawyer like Grant M. Scheiner to represent you. If you wish to learn more about the parameters of a sex crime, the defense process, and the strict Texas age of consent, do not hesitate to give his office a call.
(Source: Miranda Rights: What Happens If Police Don’t ‘Read Your Rights’, The NOLO Network)