Why You Should Never Talk to Police Without a Lawyer—Even If You're Innocent
- Sarah Gad
- Jul 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 24
If you’ve been stopped, questioned, or asked to “just clear something up,” stop. Don’t say a word until you talk to a criminal defense attorney. This rule applies whether you’re guilty, innocent, or somewhere in between. In fact, innocent people are often the ones who talk themselves into charges.
At Gad & Gad Law Offices, we’ve seen it time and again. Clients who cooperated with law enforcement thinking they had nothing to hide—only to find themselves arrested, charged, and fighting for their freedom. Here’s what you need to know if you're under investigation or facing charges in Minnesota.
The Fifth Amendment Exists to Protect the Innocent AND the Guilty
One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking, “If I just explain, they’ll let me go.”That’s not how it works.
The second biggest mistake? Believing that staying silent makes you look guilty. But in reality, remaining silent cannot be used against you—only your words can.
If you’re being questioned by police in Minnesota, say clearly:
"I want a lawyer.”
Then stop talking. Period.
Law enforcement is trained to interrogate, not exonerate. They’re allowed to lie to you, mislead you, and twist your words. What you say—no matter how innocent—can be taken out of context and used to build a case against you. And once that case is built, undoing the damage is extremely difficult.
Law enforcement is trained to interrogate, not to exonerate. They can lie to you, twist your words, and use what you say—even out of context—to build a case against you. And once that case is built, it’s hard to undo the damage.
Minnesota Tip: Anything you say can be used in court. But silence—if you invoke your right to an attorney—cannot.
You Have the Right to Remain Silent (Use It!)
The Fifth Amendment protects you from self-incrimination. That right exists even if you haven’t been arrested. In fact, the smartest thing you can do if approached by police in Minnesota is say:
“I’m invoking my right to remain silent. I want a lawyer.”
That’s it. No need to explain. Just stop talking.
Don’t Waive Your Rights—Hire a Defense Attorney Who Fights
Once you talk, you can’t take it back. That’s why it’s critical to contact an experienced Minnesota criminal defense lawyer at the first sign of police contact.
At Gad & Gad Law Offices, we don’t just defend you in court—we defend you from day one. We handle:
Police interviews and pre-charge investigations
Omnibus hearings and pretrial motions
Motions to dismiss and suppress statements
Trial and post-conviction relief
And we’re known for not pleading people out just to move a case. We fight—and we win.
Think You’re Helping Your Yourself? Think Again.
Here’s what police might say:
“You’re not under arrest, we just want to talk.”
“We think you’re a witness, not a suspect.”
“If you don’t talk now, we can’t help you later.”
"We think this was an accident, and if that is the case, you need to tell us."
Don’t fall for it. Don't tell them ANYTHING. These tactics are designed to get you to talk without a lawyer so they can use your own words against you.
Know Your Rights. Protect Your Future.
If you’ve been contacted by police in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, or anywhere in Minnesota, your next step is clear:
Say nothing. Call Gad & Gad Law Offices.
We’re available 24/7. We respond on weekends. And we’ve earned one of the highest case dismissal rates in the state—because we know what’s at stake, and we treat every case like it’s personal.
📞 Call us today for a free consultation📍 Gad & Gad Law Offices | Minneapolis Criminal Defense Attorneys🔗 Contact us now
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