Q: Should I talk to the police or get a lawyer? Am I obligated to even talk to the police?
I was doing this drop shipping thing on ebay. I sold an item for a company, the seller paid me, except the company never shipped the item. I told the seller that, and that there was nothing I could do, as the company I sold the item for refused to have any further contact after I sent them the money. The way it was supposed to work was I get 10% for whatever I sold from the company. I had researched the company beforehand just to make sure it wasn't a scam, and I could not find anything on the internet that proclaimed it was shady. I accepted their offer and I sold a tractor for $9000 odd dollars, and I kept $900 (the 10%) and transferred the rest to the company. However the day I did so, I received no more contact from the company. I sent emails and called the company, no answer. I no longer have the money. The company is in IL, the buyer in PA, and I was in CA. Now I live abroad.
A: You should never speak to police without a lawyer present because anything you say can be used against you in court. You don't want the cops to take what you say out of context or testify in court that you said something you did not and it be his/her word as a cop against yours. For your protection just say no. You have no duty to speak. Your 5th Amendment right not to incriminate yourself protects you. Don't waive it by talking.
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