A case that has made international headlines has solemnly reminded all persons accused or being questioned about a crime to not speak with law enforcement prior to consulting with a criminal defense attorney. In 2007, five contract guards working for Blackwater Worldwide shot dead 14 innocent Iraqis and wounded dozens of others in what witnesses and family members claim was an unprovoked attack. Immediately after the shooting, the guards were interviewed by State Department officials who were able to obtain damaging statements from the guards. However, though the statements may contain key evidence that could be used in convicting the guards, they will nonetheless be inadmissible against them at trial because they were advised to not speak without a grant of immunity.

The foresight to not speak with the investigating officials most likely stemmed from legal advice conveyed to the guards at some stage in their Blackwater indoctrination. As did the Blackwater guards, any person suspected or accused of committing a crime should not speak with the police, and should insist on calling their attorney as soon as possible. Accordingly, one of the most advisable decisions a person can make is to keep their attorney’s contact information on them at all times.

Wallin & Klarich is a Los Angeles criminal defense law firm with over thirty years of experience in handling criminal matters. Particularly, Wallin & Klarich has aggressively and successfully defended accused and suspected criminals in serous felony cases. As the Blackwater guards took notice of, speaking with government officials about a suspected crime is extremely risky, and should not be done without first consulting an attorney. Wallin & Klarich can be reached 24 hours a day at 1 (888) 749-0034, and much information about successfully defending a criminal case can be found at www.wklaw.com.