When Badges Are Flashed: Know Your Rights

If you are confronted by a person with a badge—whether it’s a police officer, federal agent (FBI, IRS, DEA, ATF), state investigator, or any other law enforcement official—your first and only priority is to remain silent until you have spoken with your lawyer.

You have the right to an attorney.

Law enforcement officers, whether from the city, county, or state, typically do not approach you unless they have already decided to take action—whether it’s questioning, investigation, or formal charges. Attempting to explain your way out of the situation will not change their decision and could potentially make matters worse.

Protect your rights.

This advice applies to everyone, especially professionals such as doctors, accountants, and business owners. If you are confronted by an agent from the Criminal Investigation Division (C.I.D.), or if the matter involves allegations of Medicare fraud, insurance fraud, tax fraud, or other financial crimes, your best course of action is to say nothing and immediately contact legal counsel.

Protect your rights—remain silent, and let your attorney do the talking.

For legal assistance, call the Law Offices of Burton A. Brown and ask for Burt Brown or Bill Cook at (630) 940-4243.