--> You have the right to remain silent.
They cannot force you to speak. Not with a beating, not with torture, not even with an unpleasant frown.


--> Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
DO NOT SAY A DAMN WORD. Other than to identify yourself. Anything else you can say is simply damaging. Don't care if they caught you with the bloody knife in your hand, just shut up. Don't even deny it, just shut up.

-->You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you.
Too poor, don't worry. The state will provide you with an attorney. Every defendant should have an attorney. He/she may not be the best attorney, but they are a heck of a lot better then representing yourself. In addition, occasionally top notch attorneys represent indigent defendants to get their pro-bono hours in, so you might get lucky.

Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?
If you do not understand them, then have it repeated, or ask for your attorney to explain them to you.


If you choose not to exercise these rights, then there is little hope for you. Even with the most damning evidence, you can negotiate a better deal by exercising these rights. Only 30% of people who are arrested initially ask for the attorney, and the accused builds the case for prosecutor.