Houston, TX criminal defense attorney Emily William Taylor explains what to do if the police want to interview you. She notes that she works with many clients who act in self-defense, and she finds these cases particularly interesting because the clients often feel they did exactly the right thing. These situations are not like being approached by police for a minor offense; rather, it involves someone being attacked, feeling scared, and defending themselves by displaying or using a weapon. Many people instinctively want to explain their side of the story to law enforcement, believing no crime has been committed. She emphasizes that this is a mistake.

When police are investigating a crime, they are investigating the person as a suspect. Anything a client says that conflicts with physical evidence, sounds aggressive, or even seems inconsistent can ultimately harm their case and potentially influence a jury. She strongly advises that clients should never give a statement to the police without an attorney present. Consulting a lawyer first ensures they understand what to say, what not to say, and how much detail to provide. Even if a client is convinced of their innocence, she stresses that navigating the process alone is too risky—they need professional legal guidance.