Never Say “I Didn’t Do Anything” — What to Say Instead When Stopped by Police

A surreal painting of a mouth bound by ropes and secured with a golden padlock, with red and blue streaks bursting outward, symbolizing silence under pressure.

Blurting out “I didn’t do anything!” feels natural when police stop you — but those four words can do serious damage in court. In Arizona, officers record them, prosecutors highlight them, and jurors assume the worst. Instead, protect yourself with a simple line: “I’m choosing to remain silent. Am I free to leave?” (or in Spanish, “Prefiero permanecer en silencio. ¿Estoy libre para irme?”). Knowing what to say — and what not to say — could make all the difference.