When you get arrested, the first thing the police do is remind you of your right to remain silent. It might sound obvious, but the right to remain silent can help you. Here are seven reasons why this right can work in your favour.
- It protects you from saying something that can incriminate you
When you get arrested, you might feel like defending yourself. In defending yourself and giving your version of the story, you can say something that can criminalise you. The police can use any statement to tie you to the crime.
The right to remain silent protects you from making such a mistake. Being silent gives you leverage and prevent you from criminalising yourself.
- It gives you time to get an attorney
The right to remain silent allows you to contact a defence law firm and get an attorney. A lawyer will help you know what to say to the police that will not harm you later. This right allows you to be silent until you get an attorney to help you without saying anything to the police.
- It prevents from getting charged with obstruction of justice
When you get arrested, you are obligated to give the truth. Sometimes because of intimidation or fear, you can lie when defending yourself. When you lie to the police, and they find out the truth, they charge you with obstruction of justice.
The right to remain silent allows you to be silent, which can prevent you from telling a lie.
- It can prevent the police from using evidence they illegally obtained
If a person gets arrested and states that they understand their right to remain silent, the police are obliged to respect their silence. If the police remain adamant and question the person unwillingly, any evidence obtained can be disregarded in court.
- It protects you from seeming guilty during the arrest
If a person complies when being arrested and remains silent, the police can take this as a sign they are guilty. They can presume the silence as guilty, and it is important to state that you know your right to remain silent.
It prevents them from misjudging the silence as guilt when you did not claim innocence.
- The right prevents the police from tricking you during questioning
The right to remain silent prevents the police from tricking you into saying something which connects you to a crime. If you get arrested, the police use different means to manipulate you into talking. Further, questioning could violate your rights if you assert your right to remain silent.
- It prevents you from committing perjury
The right to remain silent also gives you an option if you don’t want to testify in court. It means that the prosecutor cannot call you to a stand as a witness. It prevents you from saying something under oath that could ruin your case.
Conclusion
The right to remain silent protects many benefits; these are among the few you should know. Understanding when to apply this right and how it can help you in a legal situation is essential. These few highlighted enable you to know when and how to use them.