How to behave during police contacts so as not to harm yourself. Interview with attorney Mikhail Levit
Attorney Mikhail Levit in an interview with Vesti explains how to behave during police contacts: do not go without a lawyer, demand an interpreter, read the protocol and check the wording of the case closure. A call asking you to 'come in for 10 minutes' almost always means a summons as a suspect.
In an interview with Vesti studio, attorney Mikhail Levit explains how to behave during police contacts so as not to harm yourself. He warns that a call asking you to 'come in for 10 minutes' almost always means a summons as a suspect, and you cannot refuse it – otherwise they will come with handcuffs. The first rule: postpone the visit for a few hours and immediately contact a lawyer. Levit emphasizes that only repeat offenders go to interrogations without a lawyer. He advises special caution when filing complaints after domestic conflicts – the other party may file a counterclaim. During interrogation, you must demand an interpreter or an investigator who speaks your native language, and carefully read the protocol before signing. If you are not given time to read, the lawyer recommends writing in the document that you were not allowed to review the text. Separately, Levit discusses phone checks: if you refuse to unlock the device, the investigator will obtain a warrant, but it only grants access to specific materials related to the case. If the case is closed, it is important to check the wording: closure 'due to lack of evidence' leaves a stain on your record, and within 30 days you can file an appeal to achieve a wording of no crime committed.