Can I refuse to give a statement to the police?

In short, as a general rule, refusing to provide a statement to the police doesn’t make you look guilty; it makes you look like you are being smart and following legal advice. While the above is commonly given legal advice by sexual assault lawyers, it is not necessarily advice given in all cases.

What does making a police statement mean?

If you are the victim or witness of a crime, the police will ask you to make a detailed statement about what happened. Victims of crime often provide important evidence that help police charge the accused person and prevent them from committing the crime again.

How do I remove a police statement?

How to change or withdraw your statement. Tell the police officer in charge of the case as soon as possible. The police might try and talk you out of it. This is because they want you to give evidence in court to help settle the case.

Is it illegal to not write a statement?

Penal Code 118.1 PC makes it illegal for a California police officer to make a knowingly false statement in a crime report. This section makes it a crime even if the officer did not certify it as true or sign the report under penalty of perjury.

Can a person make a statement to the police?

Contacting the police to make a statement. When police are investigating a crime, they will record statements made by witnesses. If you’re aware of a crime and want to make a statement, you can contact police:

Which is an example of a police report?

A police report is an important document stating a record of a criminal incident, such as assault, identify theft, or robbery, for example. Any representative in the police department can write a police report. Making a report needs to be dangerous because it involves legal procedures.

What happens if you recante a statement to the police?

Just because you recanted your statement you made to police doesn’t necessarily mean that any charges leveled against the defendant will be dropped. Take for example a case of domestic violence. Harry hits Sally and she calls 911. When the police arrive, Sally tells them that Harry hit her, and he is arrested and taken to jail.

Which is an example of misconduct by a police officer?

When police officers make an arrest, they’re required to tell the investigators that often take over the case all of the details and information they can. Lying to investigators about anything involving the arrest or the case is an example of police misconduct.