WHAT YOU SAY AND DO
CAN HURT YOU IN COURT

This is what I advise my clients to say when confronted by a law enforcement officer.

"Officer, please understand I refuse to talk with you until I consult with my attorney. I also refuse to consent to any search of these premises or any other premises under my control, or in which I have a possessory, proprietary, or privacy interest, including my car, my body, or effects. I hereby demand to immediately be allowed the reasonable opportunity to obtain the advice of my attorney by telephone.

I desire to exercise all my rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and the State of Texas, to be free from your interference with my person or affairs.

If you attempt to question me, I want my lawyer present. I refuse to participate in any line-up or to perform any physical acts, or to speak or display my person or property at your direction, without first conferring with my lawyer.
If I am under arrest, I wish to invoke and exercise my Miranda rights. If you ignore my exercise of these rights and attempt to procure a waiver, I want to confer with my lawyer prior to any conversations with you.

If I am to be taken into custody, removed from my present location, or separated from my property, I request a reasonable opportunity to make arrangements to secure my own property.

I do not consent to any impoundment or inventory of my property. I do, hereby, waive any claim of liability for loss, theft or damage against you, your superiors, or any other authority, and agree to hold all harmless therefrom, if I am afforded the reasonable opportunity to arrange for the safekeeping of my own property.

If this reasonable opportunity is denied or is unavailable, I demand that only such intrusion occur as is minimally necessary to secure such property, hereby waiving any claim of liability for your failure to scrutinize the property or its contents prior to it being secured.

If I am not under arrest, I want to leave. If I am free to leave, please tell me immediately so that I may go about my business."

Licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas. Licenciado por el Corte Supremo de Texas.
Not Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
No Estan Certificados por la Mesa Directiva de Especializaciones
Legales del Estado de Texas.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. This has been prepared by Andrew M. Chatham for informational purposes only. We do not intend to create an attorney-client relationship between our firm and the recipient of the information contained on the pages that follow. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your situation.