Why Silence Is the Smartest First Move — No Matter Their Age

🧠 “They Just Want to Hear My Side of the Story…”

That's what many kids — and even their parents — think when the police start asking questions. Whether your child is 16 or 20, there's a natural urge to cooperate, to “clear things up,” and to avoid looking guilty by staying silent.

But here's the truth:

Talking to the police without legal guidance is one of the most dangerous things your child can do — guilty or not.

At Lawrence Law Firm, we've represented both minors and college students throughout North Louisiana who thought explaining themselves would help. It didn't.

Here's why you should always instruct your child to remain silent until they have a lawyer present — no matter what the officer says or how minor the charge seems.

👶 For Minors: The Pressure Is Even Greater

Police are trained to extract statements, even from kids. And if you're not in the room — or if they question your child before you arrive — things can go wrong fast.

• Your child may not understand their rights

• They may say what they think the officer wants to hear

• They may feel scared, cornered, or coerced into confessing

• Their statements can be used in court — even if they didn't mean to admit anything

🛑 Bottom Line: Until a lawyer is present, your child — no matter how bright or honest — should say only:
“I want to speak to my lawyer before I say anything.”

🎓 For College-Aged Children: The Risk of “Cooperating”

Once your child turns 18, they're legally on their own. Police know it.
In a college town like Ruston, students are often:

• Overconfident in their ability to talk their way out of trouble

• Unaware of their rights

• Eager to seem cooperative to avoid consequences from school or parents

But being cooperative without a lawyer can result in:

• Confessions they didn't mean to make

• Inaccurate timelines or contradictory statements

• Statements being misinterpreted or twisted to fit a charge

We've seen college students talk themselves into charges they could have avoided — all because they tried to be helpful.

📉 “But Won't Staying Silent Make Them Look Guilty?”

This is the biggest myth in criminal law.

The Fifth Amendment gives your child the right to remain silent. Invoking that right is never evidence of guilt — in fact, it's the smartest legal move they can make.

If an officer tries to convince them otherwise, that's a red flag. And no one ever regrets staying quiet — but many regret speaking too soon.

🛡️ How We Help When They've Already Talked

If your child has already made a statement, we'll:

• Get copies of any recordings, transcripts, or police notes

• Review whether proper Miranda warnings were given

• Challenge the legality of the questioning

• File a motion to suppress any statement taken improperly or under duress

Whether it was a confession or just a casual comment — we know how to fight back.

📞 What to Tell Your Child Right Now

Whether your child is still at home or living away at school, this is the script to give them:

“If the police want to talk to you, say: ‘I am not answering any questions without a lawyer present.' Then stop talking. Call me. And I'll call a lawyer.”

📞 Call 318.232.4000 to speak with a criminal defense attorney who knows how to protect kids — and young adults — from police overreach.
🖥️ Or [schedule a confidential consultation] today.

We're not just defending a case. We're defending a future.

🔜 Up Next in the Series:

Post #5: Will My Child Go to Jail in Louisiana?

The blog published by Lawrence Law Firm is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice on any subject matter. By viewing blog posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship between the reader and the blog publisher. Artificial Intelligence has been used to assist in formatting, topic selection, and organization, and while this information has been reviewed an attorney, this article should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.