When you face criminal charges in Dallas, there are a few things you should know. From the moment that you’re approached by police, you need to understand that you have Miranda rights that you can invoke. The police should read them to you when it’s determined that you’re going to be interrogated. If you talk to police before these rights are given or if police don’t give them, then it may be presumed that anything you said was involuntary and shouldn’t be used against you in court,which is a defense your criminal defense attorney can use to help you win your case at trial or to have it dismissed.
What are Miranda rights?
The rights you should be told include giving you the right to stay silent, which helps prevent you from incriminating yourself. You should be informed that if you speak to police, whatever you say could be used against you in court. You have the right to contact an attorney, but remember that if you can’t afford an attorney, you can have one appointed for you by the court.
When should the police read you your Miranda rights?
The police don’t have to issue these rights until you’re taken into custody and are being interrogated. That means that any typical stop, whether it’s a traffic stop or a quick stop on the street, likely won’t fall under the Miranda rights. If you’re talking to police and decide to stop for any reason, make sure you assert your right to silence. You must verbally do so and ask for your attorney.
Source: FindLaw, “Your Dallas Criminal Case: The Basics,” accessed Sep. 29, 2016