Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
Can Law Enforcement Question You Without Arresting You?
This is a question I’ve answered hundreds of times over the years: Can police—or federal agents—question me at my job or home if I haven’t been arrested? In Chicago, the answer is yes, they can. But just because they can, doesn’t mean you have to answer them.
It’s common for people in the Chicago area to get approached by CPD detectives, FBI agents, or other investigators without warning. These encounters often happen at work, outside your house, or even inside your home if you allow them in. The officers may act polite, friendly, and make the conversation feel informal. But understand this: you may already be under investigation, and the goal of that “friendly conversation” is often to gather evidence before you lawyer up.
