Experienced Crininal Defense Attorney Vancouver Washington Lawyer John Davis

Your Constitutional Rights

The officer never read me my Miranda rights, what are they?
Many people have learned that they have the right to remain silent and right to Lawyers by watching television and the movies. Yes, it is true, we do have these rights. However, these rights only attach when we are arrested or placed in custody and given the chance to incriminate ourselves. A routine traffic stop does not rise to the level of custody such that people must be told of their rights. However, if the police officer leads you to believe that the detention is going to be more than a brief encounter, Miranda warnings and your right to have a lawyer present before and during any additional questioning may be required.

Do I have to let the police search me?
Not always! The Police may only search a person, place, or thing if they have probable cause (defined as enough evidence to convince a reasonable person that criminal activity is or has occurred) to believe that something illegal exists. However, there are numerous exceptions to this rule. For instance, a police officer can search you and anything within your grasp once you are lawfully arrested. An officer may frisk a person to see if they have weapons on them. An officer may search anything if he sees something in plain view and he has a legal right to be there. THE EXCEPTIONS ARE GREATER THAN THE RULE. Initially, we had many rights to be secure from illegal searches. However, through the years, courts have whittled away at our rights so that law enforcement would have an easier time finding drugs and weapons.

Do I have to speak with police?
No! Many people feel that they can talk their way out of trouble. We believe that this is not generally going to happen & advise or adjust it. Anything you say to an officer is considered an admission and will be used against you at a trial. All spontaneous utterances will be used against you.

IF YOU ARE A SUSPECT IN A CRIME, LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NOT TRYING TO HELP YOU.

The police are trying to gather as much evidence as they can to help them make a case. You have no legal obligation to speak with them. Please let an attorney speak to them on your behalf. Even if you are not guilty of anything, the most subtle questions will trip you up and make it seem like you did something wrong. You are not obligated to be a witness against yourself.

What is the Fifth?
In recent times, many people have pleaded the Fifth. This is a person invoking their legal right not to incriminate themselves, as discussed above.

What should I do if I have not been arrested but think a charge is soon to occur?
I get numerous calls from people who tell me that there is not a pending charge, but they did something wrong or people believe that they did something wrong and a charge may be forthcoming. First, it makes sense to hire a lawyer. He or she can analyze the facts and make a decision if a law has been broken. An attorney can also deal with law enforcement on your behalf in order to try and avoid charges from being filed.

If a lawyer is not affordable or available, do not tell the police your story. This will generally make things worse. Unless you are so sure that you are squeaky clean and have nothing to hide, our advice is do not speak to police without asking for a lawyer.

Do I have to allow the police to search my house or car?
Not Always! The police have every legal right to ask for your permission to search your car or home. However, you have every legal right to refuse. Unless there is probable cause to search, the police have no business looking through your personal items. The Fourth Amendment mandates that citizens shall be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. What type of governmental conduct is deemed unreasonable, and therefore unconstitutional, is determined by the particular facts and circumstances of each case. However, some hard and fast rules do provide guidance. First and foremost among these is the core principle that all searches, unless conducted pursuant to a warrant, are per se unreasonable, therefore unconstitutional. There are, however, certain well-crafted exceptions to the warrant requirement, permitting warrantless searches when the requirements of the relevant exception are met, John Davis should be consulted to address the specific factual scenario in your case.

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	Successful & Experienced Vancouver Attorney
		John L. Davis 7700 NE 26th Avenue Vancouver, WA 98665 (360) 597-4740 -

Vancouver Washington Attorneys At Law

Vancouver Washington Attorneys At Law