Police Issues

There are a number of things we always tell our clients, right at the very beginning, about how to deal with the police during a criminal investigation. Why? Because people in these situations are usually frightened, stressed, and confused. And because they’ve been taught since childhood to obey people in uniform. So they often make mistakes which can jeopardize their own case, simply because they were trying to do the right thing. The results of this kind of misjudgment can be devastating, and we would like to help you avoid that.

The following is a list of different subjects that pertain to the cops, and your dealings with them. Hopefully, reading this before you ever get arrested will help you make good choices during the very early stages of your case, which is often the most critical period.

COP SECRETS

Ignorance of the law isn’t a viable excuse when defending yourself against criminal charges, but ignorance of how the system works can get you into an even bigger heap of trouble. Especially where the police are concerned.

Years of defending the accused has taught us a number of very valuable things about law enforcement, and we’d like to share those things with you. Because cops have lots of secrets, and knowing them will put you in a better position to defend yourself in the future. For more information, read this.

MIRANDA RIGHTS

Anyone who’s ever watched a cop show on TV has heard those famous words, “You have the right to remain silent…”. But there’s so much more to your constitutional Miranda rights that you may not know. Like when they apply and what they really mean, how they affect you, and what happens when the arresting officer forgets to say them when the law says they should. Bottom line is: we recommend AGAINST waiving any of your rights until you have an attorney with you.

Miranda Rights are complex, and can have a huge impact on a case. For this reason, it’s important that you’re informed. So we’ve put together this page to answer some of your questions, and provide you with a little more information on the hugely important topic of your rights in a criminal investigation. For more information, read this.

POLICE LINEUPS

Police lineups are well known, both in real life and in the entertainment and media industries. A row of people, usually men, who stand under bright lights facing a one-way window. Behind it, a witness tries to identify someone they recognize from a crime they either witnessed, or were the victim of. However, there’s a lot more to lineups than most people realize. Many factors are at play here, and the smallest detail, the smallest wrong move, can make a big difference to the future of the case. For more information, read this.

POLICE MISTAKES

The police are human, which means that they’re not perfect, and they make mistakes. Many of these mistakes are simple errors, but they can affect the way a case is handled moving forward. Not Mirandizing a suspect, refusing you an attorney when you’ve asked for one, or forgetting to fill out the proper chain of custody documents for evidence are all examples of human error during investigations that can have life-changing results.

Cases have been thrown out and overturned in court because of police mistakes. It happens every day. Which is why it’s so critical that you know police mistakes do happen, and how they could affect you. For more information, read this.

POLICE SEARCHES

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution affords you the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure. But what does that mean? What exactly constitutes “unreasonable”? How does the law define “search”, and what do they mean by “seizure”?

All of this is important to know. Not knowing can result in you and your loved ones being taken advantage of by law enforcement officials who bend the law to suit their own purposes. For more information, read this.

DEFENSE AGAINST POLICE ABUSES AND MISCONDUCT

Criminal cases can move very quickly once they’re rolling, so the sooner you have experienced legal representation on your side, the better protected you’ll be against police abuse of power and illegal activity. Remember, the police are required by law to follow certain procedures to do what they do. However, just because they should, doesn’t mean they always do. Sometimes rules are overlooked, or simply ignored.

At The Kronzek Firm, our highly skilled defense attorneys have decades of combined experience defending people from all over Michigan against those law enforcement officers who feel they’re above the law. Officers who believe they can do whatever it takes, even something illegal, to “get their man”. Vigilantism and “cowboying” aren’t new concepts. So it’s critical that your rights are properly defended.

If cops have arrived at your house demanding to search the premises, or are accusing you of something you didn’t do, you need to call us at 866 766 5245! If you’ve been brought in for questioning, are being told that you have to “come down to the station” to talk to someone, or have been charged with a crime, DO NOT WAIT! Call us immediately. We can help you.

More information on dealing with the police in Michigan

• You Have the Right to Remain Silent. Sometimes.
  Clients often ask our criminal defense attorneys if their criminal charges can be dismissed due to the police’s failure to inform them of their right to silence upon arrest. We all hear about Miranda rights on television, right? This Fifth Amendment right in the U.S. Constitution safeguards individuals from self-incrimination. It applies to all criminal… Read more: You Have the Right to Remain Silent. Sometimes.
• Can The Cops Use Location Tracking on Your Phone to Identify You as a Suspect?
  There was a day in the not too distant past where cell phones were exactly that – phones. You could use them to make calls and send messages. But that was pretty much it. Now, a cell phone is nothing short of a tiny computer, connecting you to the entire world and placing almost limitless… Read more: Can The Cops Use Location Tracking on Your Phone to Identify You as a Suspect?
• Don’t Get Tricked by The Cops: The Four Lines You Should Never Fall For! (Pt 1)
  Usually, when someone tells you you’ve fallen for a classic line, it tends to be something that sounded really sincere after about four drinks. “Is it hot in here or is it just you?” or perhaps, “Didn’t I see you on the cover of Vogue?”. Or the not-so-classic “I lost my phone number… can I… Read more: Don’t Get Tricked by The Cops: The Four Lines You Should Never Fall For! (Pt 1)
• If You’ve Been Accused of a Crime, The Cops Are NOT Your Friends! (Pt 2)
  Welcome back and thanks for joining The Kronzek Firm again. We’ve been talking about the difficulties faced by people accused of a crime or caught up in a criminal investigation as a suspect. Specifically, how they should act when confronted by the police. As we mentioned in the previous article, the police departments consist of… Read more: If You’ve Been Accused of a Crime, The Cops Are NOT Your Friends! (Pt 2)
• If You’ve Been Accused of a Crime, The Cops Are NOT Your Friends! (Pt 1)
  The average cop is a good person. You may be surprised to hear us say that, as Michigan criminal defense attorneys, but we really believe it. It’s been our experience as aggressive criminal defense lawyers who deal with law enforcement on a regular basis. Most cops are just regular people doing a very hard job… Read more: If You’ve Been Accused of a Crime, The Cops Are NOT Your Friends! (Pt 1)
• How Your Own Smartphone Can Rat You Out to The Cops! (Pt 1)
  For almost everybody, the days of navigating from a folded map are over. We no longer have someone sitting next to us in the passenger seat shouting, “Turn here! Here! Ugh, you missed the exit for downtown Lansing! Why aren’t you listening to me?” Instead, a moderated electronic voice issues calm commands from the tiny… Read more: How Your Own Smartphone Can Rat You Out to The Cops! (Pt 1)