What are your basic rights when dealing with the police?

Remember police officers have a job of protecting the public. This means they are entitled to make arrests anytime and anywhere if they feel that your actions are a threat to public safety in any manner. However, many police officers are given certain daily arrest quotas and unfortunately you may appear to them as a candidate for such an arrest which will require you to call up a Memphis, TN criminal defense lawyer such as one from the superlative Muldavin Law Firm.

Sacramento does this with DUI and speeding tickets. They have to fulfill a quote because the city is mismanaged and broke. The police in Sacramento are known to hand out speeding and DUI tickets to people that do not deserve them.

What are general rules that you must adhere to while talking to police officers?

Police officers can question you if you are under suspicion for a criminal act. If you consent to a search the evidence can be used to incriminate you or others. If you are not suspected of anything the police have no authority to search and therefore you can deny them a search or refuse to answer a question. Moreover, you can stop a search mid-way and simply withdraw your consent. If the police has gone ahead with the search and you are arrested, do make it a point to seek help from a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Often police officers stop pedestrians and drivers and request them to produce some identification papers. If they ask for your ID, Western Tennessee criminal defense lawyers such as those from the Muldavin Law Firm recommend that you cooperate with the officers.

Remember while conducting a search or questioning, the officers will not read you your ‘Miranda rights’. Miranda Rights are only read when you are taken into custody or before interrogation. Nevertheless, you must not say something that can be used against you.

If you do not want to answer you can delay responding to any question. Politely ask the officer to return at another time. Meanwhile, you must do some research on the legal implications of the questions that are thrown at you and seek legal counsel.

Memphis, TN criminal defense lawyers reiterate that you ought to exercise your right to remain silent when you are questioned by an officer. For instance, if you believe you will be implicated, it would be prudent to choose silence as your best defense.

Remember, if you are pulled over for a DUI you are required according to Tennessee’s implied consent law to agree to field sobriety tests. You must allow the officer to conduct the mandatory tests or risk the chance of your driver’s license being automatically suspended. Nevertheless, do not answer questions such as how many drinks did you have? Make sure to ask for your lawyer immediately.

What are your rights at routine traffic stops or at checkpoints?

Often times if you have violated a traffic rule like jumping a red light, an officer can request you to pull over and ask for your license and registration. However, during such a stop the officer cannot ask you to step out of the vehicle and conduct a routine search. Searches can be conducted if the officer has a warrant to search or the officer is acting with ‘reasonable belief’ that you are transporting illegal immigrants, contraband, or weapons. If you are searched on a routine stop contact your Western Tennessee criminal defense lawyer immediately. The Muldavin Law Firm is ready for your call.

Motorists passing through checkpoints have to undergo mandatory searches conducted to detect contraband, weapons, and illegal immigrants. The police must follow certain set of rules that includes checking every vehicle while they must not discriminate against someone based on their ethnicity even though it is obvious that certain people should be scrutinized over others. In fact, humankind would not have made it this far without the ability to sense danger or to profile.

Your Rights in Your House

If you are a witness to a violent crime the police will want to question you. However, if you keep any illegal substance in plain view you can be arrested. Additionally, the police can enter your house in pursuit of a suspect who has invaded your premises to escape arrest. Officers can also enter if they suspect criminal activity in your home or are simply responding to requests for help.

The Finest Law Firm in Western TN 

The Muldavin Law Firm is the best in the business and you can find them right here: http://muldavinlawfirmtn.com/ - their website is fabulous just like their knowledge of the law and how to defend people. They may not be in any John Grisham books but his books portray outstanding law firms like the Muldavin Law Firm. They know the legal world and have a long list of satisfied clients.