What exactly do I say to ask for a lawyer?
This is the answer worth memorizing, because the polite version fails.
An invocation of counsel has to be unequivocal and unambiguous. The test is objective — whether a reasonable officer would understand the statement as a request for an attorney. If it's ambiguous enough that an officer would only understand you *might* be asking, questioning doesn't have to stop.
Florida courts have found these insufficient:
- *"I think I should have a lawyer."*
- *"I think I should wait to talk to my public defender."*
In both cases, suppression orders were reversed and the statements came in. Those are exactly how a normal, respectful, frightened person phrases it — and the hedge is what defeats it.
Say instead: *I want a lawyer.* Or *I am not answering questions without my attorney.* No "I think." No "maybe." No "should I."
One protection that survives: if you ask a clear question about your rights, Florida law requires the officer to stop and answer it in good faith.
Four words. "I want a lawyer." Anything softer may not count. ---
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