What to Do If a Police Officer Leaves a Message on Your Phone

Few things create instant anxiety like seeing a voicemail from a police officer. Your mind jumps straight to worst-case scenarios. As a Maine defense attorney, here is the most important thing to know right away: you are not required to call the officer back, and you should not do so without legal advice.

When police leave a message, it is rarely “just to talk.” Officers are trained to gather information and statements that can later be used as evidence. Even if you believe you have done nothing wrong, anything you say—off the cuff, trying to be helpful, or attempting to clear things up—can be misunderstood, taken out of context, or used against you later.

Do Not Call Back Immediately

You have an absolute constitutional right to remain silent. That right applies before charges are filed, before arrest, and before you even know what the investigation is about. Calling back without counsel often results in people volunteering information they cannot undo.

Silence is not an admission of guilt. It is the exercise of a legal right.

Do Not Leave a Return Voicemail or Send a Text

Leaving a message, texting, or emailing an officer can be just as risky as a live conversation. Those communications are preserved and may become evidence. Avoid the temptation to explain yourself or “get it over with.”

What You Should Do

Write down the officer's name, agency, phone number, and exactly what was said in the message. Then stop. Do not discuss the call with friends, family, or coworkers. Conversations like those can resurface later in ways you do not expect.

The next step should be to speak with a defense attorney. An attorney can contact law enforcement on your behalf, determine whether you are a witness or a suspect, and decide whether any response is appropriate—or whether no response at all is the best strategy.

Why This Matters

Many criminal cases begin with a simple phone call. How that call is handled often shapes everything that follows. Early legal guidance can prevent small mistakes from turning into serious problems.

Got a Call From Police in Maine?

If a police officer has contacted you, do not guess and do not panic. William H. Ashe represents clients across Maine and routinely handles police contact before charges are filed.

📞 Call Attorney William H. Ashe today to protect your rights before you say anything that cannot be taken back