It sounds like something only guilty people say: "I want a lawyer." But the truth is, the people who need lawyers most are often the ones who have done nothing wrong.
That might feel counterintuitive, especially if you were raised to believe that the police are there to help and that the best way to avoid trouble is to "just tell the truth." But when you're the one being questioned, and the stakes are high, the rules change. The people asking the questions are not neutral. They’re building a case. And anything you say can be twisted, misunderstood, or flat-out used against you, even if you're telling the truth.
This post is for anyone who has ever thought, “If someone didn’t do anything wrong, why would they need a lawyer?”
The Real Purpose of a Police Interview
When officers invite (or pressure) you to “come in and clear things up,” it might feel informal or even cooperative. But these interviews have one goal: to gather information that supports a case. If that case is against you, they’re looking for inconsistencies, admissions, or anything they can use to justify an arrest or strengthen a charge.
Even “casual” conversations can become part of the case file. And by the time you’re sitting in the interview room, you’re already a suspect. They’re not interested in ruling you out. They’re looking to pin you down.
Why Innocent People Still Get Charged
False accusations happen more often than most people think. In our practice, we’ve seen cases arise from:
Domestic disputes where someone exaggerates or misstates the facts in the heat of the moment
Mistaken identity from vague descriptions or faulty eyewitness accounts
Guilt by association when a person happens to be nearby or connected to someone who committed a crime
Rushed investigations where police or prosecutors latch onto a theory and ignore evidence that contradicts it
In each of these cases, a well-meaning, cooperative person could wind up charged because they thought that "telling their side" would help. Instead, it only gave investigators more material to work with.
The Trap of “Just Explaining Yourself”
Let’s be clear: facts alone do not protect you. You may think your version of events will make everything click into place. But what you say may be misunderstood, taken out of context, or twisted to fit a narrative you don’t control.
And even a small mistake like getting the timeline wrong by 15 minutes or mixing up names can be spun into “proof” that you’re lying.
In some cases, what you don’t say can also hurt you. We just resolved a case this very week where an investigator was convinced our client was guilty simply because he didn't object as strongly as the investigator would expect during an interview.
“But Don’t Innocent People Have Nothing to Hide?”
That’s the most dangerous misconception of all. Innocent people have everything to protect: their freedom, their reputation, their job, and their relationships.
Once you're charged, the process alone can turn your life upside down. Even if the charges are dropped later, your name has already been run through the mud. Court appearances, legal fees, and lost work all begin the moment you're arrested. A strong lawyer can often keep things from getting that far.
What Happens When You Ask for a Lawyer?
It doesn’t make you look guilty. It makes you look smart.
Invoking your right to counsel forces police to stop the interrogation. More importantly, it puts a buffer between you and a system that is frankly not built to give you the benefit of the doubt until trial, which is often years later and well after considerable damage has been done.
A good lawyer will:
Assess the strength of the case against you before you speak
Intervene early to prevent you from incriminating yourself
Make sure investigators don’t overstep legal boundaries
Begin developing a defense from day one, not after charges are filed
In many cases, early representation has made the difference between charges being filed and the case quietly going away.
You Only Get One First Statement
Once you talk to the police, you can’t take it back. Even if your story evolves or you remember new details, your original statement can be used to suggest you're unreliable.
That’s why lawyers tell you to say nothing until we’ve had a chance to look at the full picture. You may not even know what you’re being investigated for. Speaking too soon can close off defenses you didn’t know you had.
What to Do If Police Want to Talk
Be polite but firm. Say “I want to cooperate, but I need to speak to my attorney first.”
Do not try to explain. You may think a simple clarification will help. It won’t.
Do not lie. Lying to police itself can be charged as a crime. Thanks to our Constitution, staying silent is not a crime.
Contact a defense lawyer immediately. Don’t wait to see how things play out.
At Eichelberger Law Firm, we’ve helped people across Mississippi who never thought they would need a lawyer. We work to protect your rights, your reputation, and your future, before charges ever get filed.
Final Thought
The time to call a lawyer isn’t after things get serious. It’s the moment the police want to talk. Innocent or not, your best protection is experienced legal counsel.
You only get one shot to handle this right. Make sure you do.