People who have been arrested have certain rights under the law. Those rights usually include the right to remain silent when questioned by police officers and the right to speak with a lawyer regarding their charges.
Oftentimes, people have to make phone calls to speak with defense lawyers and review their situations. Indiana has relatively thorough inmate telephone policies that allow people to contact not just their attorneys but also family members and friends. The ability to communicate with others while in state custody is valuable, but people need to be careful to avoid making mistakes that could affect their criminal charges.
The state may record calls
While telecommunications are accessible to most people currently in state custody, inmates need to be responsible about who they contact and what information they share. With exceptions for phone calls made directly to criminal defense attorneys, most inmate phone calls are subject to monitoring and recording.
The state might reference the decision to call another person implicated in the same crime during a trial. In fact, the recordings of inmate conversations could help support the criminal allegations brought against defendants.
People who make the wrong phone calls or share too much information while talking with friends and family could be at risk of serious criminal charges. Calling an attorney and then using the right to remain silent can protect people from mistakes that could increase their chances of criminal convictions.
Defendants who believe they’ve experienced a violation of their rights while in state custody may need assistance as they address the matter, and that’s okay.
