Hello and welcome to the Law Office of Preeti K. Bajwa. I am Preeti Bajwa and I pride myself on providing exceptional legal representation with concern, care and empathy towards all my clients. Because of my aggressive stance on overcharged crimes, I am not afraid to set matters for trial and fight the case for my clients. Each client can be assured that you will receive personalized services directly from me.

I wanted to start this blog by discussing a matter of utmost importance. And that is the right to remain silent. I always tell all my clients – Never speak to the police, never. If you are in the presence of an officer, regardless of whether you have been read your Miranda rights or not, always ask to speak to your attorney and always tell the officer you want to remain silent. This advice has never been truer than now. Just last week, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision that drastically changes the landscape pertaining to Miranda. In a landmark case, Berghuis v. Thompkins, the court said that if a client wishes to remain silent, he must not just remain silent but he MUST tell the officer “I wish to remain silent.” This is a very important decision, because simply remaining silent and not saying anything will not invoke your constitutional right to remain silent. I tell all my clients to take that one step further and tell the officers “I want my lawyer.” This applies whenever you are in the company of an officer, whether you are in handcuffs or whether you are talking to an officer about your whereabouts on a certain day and time.

Morale of this blog: If you are ever in the company of an officer, whether or not you are under arrest, always tell the officer “I want to remain silent and I want my lawyer.” Nothing else. Keep repeating this over and over until the officer leaves or lets you go.