Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
Knowing When Silence is Smarter Than Speaking
Chicago police make traffic stops every day. Sometimes it’s for speeding on Lake Shore Drive, other times it’s rolling through a stop sign in Pilsen. For many drivers, that brief encounter with an officer feels routine—until it isn’t. When flashing lights appear in the rearview mirror, people often forget they still have rights. One of the most misunderstood of these rights is the right to remain silent. The question I get all the time is: “Do I have to talk to the officer?”
As a Chicago criminal defense lawyer, I tell clients that what you say during a stop can change the entire outcome of your case. Most people don’t realize how much legal damage they do by trying to talk their way out of trouble. The simple truth is, aside from handing over your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration, you don’t have to say a word. And in many situations, saying nothing is exactly what protects you the most.
