Thomas J. Thompson
Attorney at Law
1007 South Washington Avenue
Titusville, FL 32780
Phone 321-269-5040
Fax 321-269-5014
Email: tjtesq1@bellsouth.net

Payment Options

Important Information

Has Your Child Been Arrested? Call Us Immediately!

Below you will find the most important things to do when dealing with the police.

2 Basic Facts Every Child Should Know:

1. Your child has a constitutional right to remain silent. Tell them to use it!

The police love to question kids. Why? Because they are easily intimidated, misinformed, and will usually confess to everything they have done! Your child does not have to speak with the police at any time. The police can lie to your child and they do! Often the police will tell adults and children alike that if they are truthful it will go easier on them, or that they will only send them home to their parents. In this day and age, the police rarely send a child home to be disciplined by the parents. However, that is one of their favorite interrogation tricks. In reality the police arrest your child and let the courts handle it. That is why it is never safe for your child to talk to a police officer if they start asking your child about a crime. Keep in mind that the police must follow the same rules when questioning a child suspected of a crime that they must follow when questioning an adult. Your child must be told he has the right to remain silent and has the right to an attorney. It is important that your child use this right.

2. Your child has a constitutional right against warrantless searches. Don't give the police permission to search you or your belongings!

There are 4 ways an officer may search you or your vehicle.
1. You give them permission.
2. The police have probable cause.
3. The police have a warrant to search.
4. You are already under arrest.

If someone tells a police officer that your son has marijuana in his backpack, may the officer search? No! No! A thousand times - no! But unfortunately many children mistakenly believe they must submit to a search by the officer. Your child must not be intimidated or coerced into allowing the officer to search. The officer must have probable cause to look.

Someone's bare assertion is not enough. There must be some other reason or event for the officer to establish a reason to search.

If the officer asks, "May I search you ... your vehicle... your backpack" or anything, your child would be wise to say "No." Your child can't get into trouble for refusing. Quite the opposite, if the officer unreasonably persists or badgers your child, a complaint on the parents' part may result in disciplinary action taken toward the officer.

Many times a child will think, "If I let them search, the police will think I have nothing to hide and won't search. If I say 'no,' they will think I have something to hide and search anyway." Don't let your child fall into this trap. Teach them these four principles and help your child protect their rights.

1. No Consent = No Search
2. No Probable Cause = No Search
3. No Warrant = No Search
4. No Arrest = No Search

Parents, don't forget the United States was founded on the principles that the government must not interfere, intimidate, or oppress our basic freedoms. By ensuring that your child understands these basic rights, you are ensuring that oppressive police powers will be held in check as our founding fathers intended.

Back to Top