---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Instead mention your Sixth Amendment…"
description: "\"“Instead mention your Sixth Amendment right to a lawyer, and tell the police that you want a lawyer. Is that honest? Not entirely, because it sounds li..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7aa/james-duane-12142_sixth-amendment_instead-mention-your-sixth-amendment-rig_901068.jpg"
---

#  Instead mention your Sixth Amendment right to a lawyer…

![“Instead mention your Sixth Amendment right to a lawyer, and tell the police that you want a lawyer. Is that honest? Not entirely, because it sounds like you are implying that you might be willing to talk to them after a lawyer shows up, and of course that is not true, and your lawyer will not…” quote by James Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7aa/james-duane-12142_sixth-amendment_instead-mention-your-sixth-amendment-rig_901068.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7aa/james-duane-12142_sixth-amendment_instead-mention-your-sixth-amendment-rig_901068.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7aa/james-duane-12142_sixth-amendment_instead-mention-your-sixth-amendment-rig_901068.jpg)

> ““Instead mention your Sixth Amendment right to a lawyer, and tell the police that you want a lawyer. Is that honest? Not entirely, because it sounds like you are implying that you might be willing to talk to them after a lawyer shows up, and of course that is not true, and your lawyer will not agree to that.””

[James Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-duane/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Invoking a Sixth Amendment right may be misleading if the speaker implies willingness to talk before counsel arrives.

**In simple terms:** Misusing legal rights can be deceptive.

Key Takeaway

Speak clearly about your right to counsel.

Themes

legal rights law enforcement ethics

Mood

cautious serious

Type

legal educational

When to use this quote

- police questioning
- legal advice
- rights education

Key Concepts

constitutional law criminal justice

Questions to Reflect On

- How can one assert rights without implying consent?
- What are the consequences of ambiguous legal statements?

A Different Perspective

Some may fear that asserting rights escalates tension.

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Browse all 7 Sixth Amendment quotes

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