Q: Is it legal for an officer to question me at work about my charges after arrest and bail?
I was arrested for reckless driving (speeding), possession of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia. After being bailed out, an officer came to my workplace two nights in a row. On the second night, the officer asked me questions about my charges. I have a court date assigned. Is it legal for the officer to question me at my workplace regarding my charges?
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A:
It’s not uncommon for officers to attempt to question individuals about charges, but they must still follow certain rules when doing so. After your arrest and bail, you have the right to remain silent if you choose, and the officer cannot force you to answer questions. If you don’t want to answer, you can politely refuse to speak with the officer, especially since you have a court date pending.
It is legal for an officer to contact you at your workplace, but it may be more appropriate for them to question you in a formal setting, such as during an interrogation or when your lawyer is present. If the officer's questioning is unrelated to any ongoing investigation, you have the right to request that they stop.
You should consider consulting with an attorney about this interaction to ensure that your rights are being respected. An attorney can help you understand if the officer’s conduct was inappropriate and guide you on how to handle any future questions from law enforcement, especially with a court date approaching.
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