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Help! If an investigator from a District Attorney's Office comes to your door

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hang a left Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:03 PM
Original message
Help! If an investigator from a District Attorney's Office comes to your door
to ask you questions about someone possibly being involved in a crime, do you have to speak to them??

I had two men come to the door to ask me questions. They played the tough guy with me. I didn't tell them anything other that I asked if I was in some kind of trouble. They said "no but if you were we'd be hauling you off for the weekend." I asked them if I needed an attorney and they said "no".

Can someone help me out here??
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Monkeyman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:04 PM
Response to Original message
1. Lawyer up
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redacted Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:11 PM
Response to Reply #1
13. I see no reason for him to lawyer up if he is a witness. If he did something
Edited on Fri Mar-02-07 08:14 PM by redacted
wrong -- thast another story.

Most people know if they've committed a crime. So I suspect our OP is a potential witness of some sort.
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lonestarnot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:04 PM
Response to Original message
2. What did they wanna know?
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hang a left Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:06 PM
Response to Reply #2
4. They wanted to ask questions about someone we know.
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lonestarnot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:09 PM
Response to Reply #4
10. So did you wonder about your answers?
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hang a left Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:11 PM
Response to Reply #10
12. I didn't say anything. They actually asked to speak to my husband. nt
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lonestarnot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:16 PM
Response to Reply #12
18. Oh. So no one actually spoke to them, but you do know who they
Edited on Fri Mar-02-07 08:17 PM by lonestarnot
want to speak to you about. I suggest to speak to them, unless you could incriminate yourselves with some involvement, then best to get a lawyer and that's no legal advise mind you, as I'm no lawyer, just a wise ass.
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DemKR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:07 PM
Response to Reply #2
8. Determine whether you are being approached
as a suspect or as a witness. Remember you ALWAYS have the right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer. Questioning is supposed to stop immediately when you do. Remember also they are allowed to lie or exaggerate about evidence in order to extract a confession--if you are being approached as a suspect, regardless of your innocence or guilt, do not say anything and inform them you want to talk to an attorney.

Since you are not under arrest they do not have to read Miranda rights either. I would suggest calling an attorney now and will perhaps lead you in the right direction. They can probably contact the DA to see what it's all about.

Good luck.
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hang a left Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:12 PM
Response to Reply #8
14. Perhaps that is why they came on a Friday at 5PM
We couldn't reach our attorney.
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DemKR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:13 PM
Response to Reply #14
17. They usually come at an "inopportune" time
Because that's a time you're likely to be in home. Usually it is in the early morning or late evening hours.
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Chipper Chat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:05 PM
Response to Original message
3. Did you ID them and get their badge numbers?
Call the FBI.
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hang a left Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:06 PM
Response to Reply #3
6. They both gave me cards and showed me a badge.
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youngdem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:06 PM
Response to Original message
5. Get a lawyer. Worth it every time in a criminal matter.
You can end up on the wrong side of a situation in a heartbeat, facts be damned. And your rights mean NOTHING unless they think you have a lawyer watching your back.
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SoCalDem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:07 PM
Response to Original message
7. Look them straight in the eye, and say
"The chicken was tasty, and the qumquats were rotten"..then wink at them :)
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redacted Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:09 PM
Response to Original message
9. Seems odd. I know DA's and DA investigators. They are good folks usually.
They would not threaten you.

Did you get id/badge numbers (here they are deputized) I'd call the office and confirm who they are. IF they are who they say they are -- it wouldn't hurt to honestly answer their questions. It may exhonerate someone.
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lonestarnot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:10 PM
Response to Reply #9
11. Isn't it assumed that one always does that?
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redacted Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:13 PM
Response to Reply #11
15. You would think so but some people don't think that about it. Having
guys in badges show up unannounced at your door can be stressful for any number of reasons. Not everyone thinks clearly under stress.
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lonestarnot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:17 PM
Response to Reply #15
19. True that.
Stress wierds people out sometimes.
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crikkett Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:13 PM
Response to Original message
16. remember it's a felony to lie to a federal officer
even by mistake
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WorldResident Donating Member (288 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:22 PM
Response to Reply #16
20. Only some states have an equivalent state law like that
n/t
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OPERATIONMINDCRIME Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:22 PM
Response to Original message
21. Unless You Know Fully The Situation And Are Willing To Cooperate, Do Not Talk To Them.
Always say you will not talk to them without the advice of an attorney. If you choose to talk, DON'T EVER LIE TO THEM. If you do, you very well could be arrested for obstruction.
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lazer47 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-02-07 08:39 PM
Response to Original message
22. Always remember Miranda
"anything you say can be used aganist you" GET,, I repeat GET,, an Attorney
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