When a police officer speaks to you for your alleged role in a domestic violence incident, he or she will often use disarming statements such as, "I just want to get your side of what happened." It's important for you to know that this is a tactic — the officer is hoping that you'll say something to incriminate yourself and thus make the case against you stronger. Many people complicate their legal situation by saying things to the police that are difficult to defend. While a good domestic violence attorney will always work to get your charges dropped or reduced, his or her ability to do so often depends on what statements you've made. Here are some things that you shouldn't say.

"We Were Arguing"

In an effort to convince the officer that you weren't in a physical dispute, you might use the strategy of saying that you were arguing but that things didn't escalate beyond words. Such a statement might seem like a good idea, but it's not. Admitting that you were arguing does two things that can harm your case — it shows that you were indeed at the scene, and it has you admitting that you were in some type of conflict with the alleged victim.

"I Just Pushed Him/Her Away"

When someone is under a domestic violence investigation, he or she will often want to avoid looking like the aggressor. Unfortunately, many people make statements with this goal in mind, but these statements can end up harming them and making their case more challenging for their attorney. For example, you might say that you pushed your significant other away and imply that he or she was aggressively in your face or otherwise close to you. This type of statement is once again an admission that you were present and that you were in a dispute, and it's also evidence that you put your hands on the other person. It can be very difficult to get your domestic violence charge dropped after an admission that you pushed the alleged victim.

"He/She Started It"

While it may be true that your significant other's words or behavior was the catalyst for the difficult situation in which you find yourself, don't ever tell the police that he or she started it. Such a statement might seem simple, but many police officers associate it with guilt. For example, when you use "it" in this context, you're seeming to refer to a conflict of some nature. Additionally, saying that someone else started it isn't the same as saying you weren't involved. Your best bet is to refuse to answer questions until you have consulted with a domestic violence attorney.

Speak with a criminal defense attorney to learn more.

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