Police Want to Question You in Frankfort, IL? Say This
TL;DR: If police want to question you in Illinois, you can politely say: “Officer, I’m invoking my right to remain silent. I want to speak with a lawyer.” Then stop talking. If you’re asked to allow a search, you can add: “I do not consent to a search.”
The one sentence to say (and then stop talking)
If police want to question you, you can say:
“Officer, I’m invoking my right to remain silent. I want to speak with a lawyer. I do not consent to any searches.”
Then stop talking. Don’t explain. Don’t try to “clear anything up.” Don’t answer follow-up questions like “Why?” or “What happened?”
If you only remember part of it, prioritize this:
“I’m remaining silent. I want a lawyer.”
Illinois expressly protects the right not to be compelled to incriminate yourself and the right to counsel in criminal prosecutions. See Illinois Constitution (1970), Article I, Section 10.
Tip: Keep it short and repeatable
A useful goal is to pick one sentence you can repeat calmly, word-for-word, even if an officer keeps talking: “I’m invoking my right to remain silent. I want a lawyer.”
Why this matters even if you did nothing wrong
Interviews are designed to collect statements that may later be used as evidence. Even truthful people can misremember timelines, guess instead of saying “I don’t know,” or get pulled into contradictions.
Invoking your rights early can reduce the chance that a misunderstanding becomes a bigger problem.
“Am I being detained?” (and how to use the answer)
If an officer approaches you in public or calls asking you to come in, you can calmly ask:
“Am I being detained, or am I free to leave?”
- If you are free to leave: leave politely. You can add that you will not answer questions without a lawyer.
- If you are being detained or arrested: invoke your right to remain silent and request a lawyer.
Arguing about whether the stop is “legal” in the moment often does not help. If there is a legal issue, preserve it for your attorney to raise later.
“We just want your side of the story” and other common tactics
Officers may minimize the situation to keep you talking. Common lines include:
- “This is just routine.”
- “You’re not in trouble.”
- “Help us understand what happened.”
- “If you have nothing to hide…”
You can stay respectful and still protect yourself:
“I understand. I’m invoking my right to remain silent and I want a lawyer.”
Phone calls, “come down to the station,” and “voluntary” interviews
If police call you, show up at your home, or ask you to come to the station, treat it seriously.
- Get the officer’s name, agency, and callback number.
- Say: “I’m not answering questions without a lawyer. My attorney will contact you.”
- Avoid going to the station “just to talk” without counsel.
Even if you believe you are only a witness, roles can change quickly once you start answering questions.
Search requests: what to say
If asked to search your car, home, phone, or belongings, you can say:
“I do not consent to a search.”
If officers search anyway, do not physically resist. Your attorney can later evaluate whether the search can be challenged in court.
If you have already talked, you still can stop
If you started answering questions, you can stop at any time. Say:
“I’m not answering any more questions. I want a lawyer.”
Then stop speaking. Continuing to talk often creates additional issues, even when you are trying to correct earlier answers.
Special note for juveniles and parents
If the person being questioned is under 18, involve counsel immediately. Illinois provides additional protections for minors in certain custodial interrogation settings. See, for example, 705 ILCS 405/5-401.5.
Illinois law also requires electronic recording of custodial interrogations in specified circumstances. See 725 ILCS 5/103-2.1.
Checklist: What to do next
- Stay polite and non-confrontational.
- Ask: “Am I being detained, or am I free to leave?”
- Invoke: “I’m remaining silent. I want a lawyer.”
- Decline consent to searches (without physically resisting).
- Limit discussion of the incident with anyone other than your attorney.
- Write down what happened (names, times, locations) for your attorney.
- Contact a criminal defense lawyer promptly.
FAQ
Do I have to go to the station if police ask to “talk”?
Not always. If it is truly voluntary and you are free to decline, you can choose not to go and instead request that your lawyer contact them.
What if I already answered some questions?
You can stop at any time by clearly stating you are invoking your right to remain silent and you want a lawyer, then not answering further questions.
Should I physically refuse a search?
No. You can say you do not consent, but do not physically resist. Let your attorney address any legal issues later.
Does this apply in Frankfort only?
These are general rights and risk-reducing steps commonly used across Illinois, including Frankfort.
Talk to a lawyer
If you or a family member is being questioned by police in Frankfort or elsewhere in Illinois, request legal help here: Contact our office.
Illinois disclaimer: This post is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect how the law applies to your specific facts. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If police want to question you, seek advice from a qualified Illinois criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.