Is it legal for a police detective to text message me to question me about an incident that he believed I witnessed?

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Is it legal for a police detective to text message me to question me about an incident that he believed I witnessed?

Asked on March 13, 2013 under Criminal Law, Pennsylvania

Answers:

Kevin Bessant / Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

A police detective can indeed text message or call you to gather more information about a possible criminal investigation or to question a witness about a particular event. You however are under no obligation to speak to the detective or any law enforcement officer as you can always invoke your consitutional right to remain silent and answer no questions. The only time you are required by law to answer questions is if you have been supoenaed to testify at a court hearing or deposition under oath, and even then you can invoke your 5th Amendment right not to answer any question that may incriminate you. 


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