Should You Talk to the Police Before Hiring a Lawyer in Tennessee? (Read This First)

Introduction

Police want to talk.

They say:

“We just want to hear your side.”
“This is your chance to clear things up.”

So the question is:

👉 Should you talk to the police before hiring a lawyer?

The answer is simple — but most people get it wrong.

The Short Answer

No — you should not talk to the police before speaking with a lawyer.

You have the right to remain silent under the
Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution

And that right exists for a reason.

Why Police Want You to Talk

Police are trained to gather evidence.

One of the most effective ways to do that is:

👉 getting you to talk

They may say:

• “We already know everything”
• “This will help you”
• “We’re trying to help you out”

But their job is not to clear your name.

Their job is to build a case.

The Biggest Misconception

People believe:

“If I just explain what happened, they’ll understand.”

That’s not how it works.

Even truthful statements can:

• place you at the scene
• create inconsistencies
• support probable cause
• strengthen the case against you

Talking Rarely Helps — But Often Hurts

Most criminal cases are built on:

• statements
• admissions
• inconsistencies

And those come from one place:

👉 the person talking

What Happens If You Stay Silent?

If you assert your rights:

• you preserve your defense
• you limit the evidence against you
• you give your lawyer room to work

Silence is not weakness.

It is strategy.

What You Should Say

If police want to talk to you, say:

“I don’t answer questions.”

Then say:

“I want a lawyer.”

Then stop talking.

What NOT to Do

Do NOT:

• try to “clear things up”
• explain your side
• answer “just a few questions”
• believe you can talk your way out

Why This Matters in Nashville

In Nashville and throughout Davidson County, Tennessee, many cases are built almost entirely on statements made:

• at the scene
• during interviews
• before a lawyer is involved

Once those statements are made:

👉 they are very difficult to undo

The Reality

You don’t talk your way out of criminal cases.

But you can absolutely talk your way into one.

The Bottom Line

• You have the right to remain silent
• Talking to police before a lawyer is risky
• Silence protects you

Your safest move:

“I don’t answer questions.”

About the Author

David G. Ridings is a Nashville criminal defense attorney with almost 30 years of criminal defense experience and nearly 40 years on every side of the criminal justice system.

He is a former Metro Nashville Police Officer, former prosecutor, and has served as a Night Court Judicial Magistrate since 2023.

Known online as DrJudge, he has educated hundreds of thousands of people about their rights during police encounters — and has literally written the book on the subject, “I Don’t Answer Questions.”

Call to Action

If police want to talk to you:

👉 Don’t talk. Call 1-888-DRJUDGE

What you say today can decide your case tomorrow.