What to do if I was questioned by a federal officer for controlled substance possession?
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What to do if I was questioned by a federal officer for controlled substance possession?
Prior to questioning me he asked me to sign a form to waive my right to leagal repersentation before he told me why we were talking. Is this proper and legal?
Asked on December 5, 2012 under Criminal Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
B.H.F., Member, Texas State Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Any officer, including a federal officer, can ask you to waive your right to counsel-- however, they cannot force you do to so. Before he started the conversation on any topic, it was proper and legal for him to request that you sign a waiver or acknowledgement of your rights. If you decide to talk to him again, remember that you can invoke your rights at any time. Just because you signed this waiver, it does not mean that you have waived that right permanently. If you decide that you do not want to talk to him without an attorney, simply tell him that you do not want to visit until you have an attorney. If he asks for an explanation, just tell him "because that's my choice,"... you are not required to tell him why you are invoking your right to counsel-- or any other right for that matter.
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