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Crime & Law Enforcement Issues & Death Penalty/Why did Martha speak to government agents
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Question
Hi--
The Martha Stweart case made me wonder why she spoke at all to the government officials to whom she lie.
The lesson of the case seems to me to be: when a government agent asks you a question, don't answer.
Why do you have to answer? Was Martha under subpoena? Is it the law that you have to speak to a government agent? Can you take the Fifth?
Or what?
Many thanks,
Steve
I don't know anymore about this case than I read in the newspaper so I don't have any idea why she spoke to governement agents. But typically people want to present their "best side" and will willingly talk to the police, governement agents, FBI, etc, when requested to. Everyone has the right not to answer questions or testify against themselves. There is no law that you have to speak to a governement agent but don't confuse that with being subpoened to testify before a grand jury.
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Answers by Expert:
Jack Toomey
Expertise
Please do NOT ask questions about potential jail sentences that you or your friends may receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer or a parole officer so questions about those subjects will be rejected. I am a police officer with 26 years experience. Can answer questions about crime, police procedure, investigations, criminal law, search and seizure, traffic offenses. Prefer not to answer questions on the death penalty. Please do not ask homework questions. Remember this. The law in every state is different so questions about laws that are specific to your state could be difficult to answer. I also cannot give you legal advice on what to do or not to do in court. I have worked with authors in the past and will be happy to review scenarios or plots with authors to check for believability or accuracy.
Experience
Police officer with 26 years experience. Ten years in patrol and sixteen years in the detective bureau investigating every type of crime including murder, rape, robbery, theft, fraud, missing persons, etc, etc. Also taught at the police academy in areas such as constitutional law, search and seizure, and lineups.
Education/Credentials
B.S. in Criminology from the University of Maryland.
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