Understanding Jailhouse Phones
By Sullivan Rice
Can I Make A Phone Call From Jail?
Our first answer is, don’t. However, its important to know that most every inmate in Minnesota will eventually have access to a jailhouse phone once they are taken into custody. That being said, you don’t get to use it anytime you want, for any purpose you want and it is absolutely not private.
Jailhouse calls are only allowed during very specific time periods and it is also important to remember that other inmates are also lining up to make calls so you may not get a long time to talk. As of July 1, 2023, these calls are now free. At the same time, it is important to remember that people cannot call into the jail to talk to an inmate. These only apply to outward bound calls. This also applies to phone calls that you might make to your lawyer. However, it is important to treat calls with lawyers as you would the other calls. Don’t talk about your case with your lawyer on the phone. If you are facing serious criminal charges in Minnesota, make sure that you consult with an experienced Minnesota criminal defense attorney.
“Authorities are always listening to your phone calls. They are building a case and if they can use your own words, they will.”
Consider the following guidelines for effective communication:
DO's:
Discussing court related matters: Don’t. Specifically, if necessary, provide charges and court dates only and lawyer contact information. Provide nothing else regarding the case. NOTHING
Share needs for bond: Discuss with a bondsman only relevant information in order to get bonded out of jail. Its better to have friends or family reach out and you discuss none of this.
DON'Ts:
Avoid discussing incident details: Don’t talk about the case. I repeat, don’t talk about the case. Don’t talk about who was there, what they are saying, what you were doing, alibis or anything else. Prosecutors can use any information against you, so be cautious about revealing times, places, or your location during the incident.
Don’t call protected witnesses: Don’t call witnesses to discuss the case or to convince them to drop charges. Don't call people who have a No Contact Order or Order for Protection against you. You will be charged with a new crime.
Steer clear of admissions: Don’t make any admissions of wrongdoing. Statements like "I made a mistake" or "I'm guilty" can be a disaster.
“The Minnesota Department of Corrections isn’t doing you any favors by giving you access to a phone. They are handing you a rope of sorts and waiting for you to hang yourself with it. Don’t talk on the phone.”
Additional Advice:
Use your own ID or account: Make calls using your ID or account, excluding parties you're not authorized to contact. Don’t try to fake out the cops. Don’t think using a code will help. It won’t
Inform loved ones about your lawyer: Advise your loved ones to speak with your lawyer and provide contact information. Establish a relationship with your attorney's important contacts in case of an emergency.
Avoid calling your lawyer over the jail phone: Due to recorded calls waiving attorney-client privilege, it's advisable to have your attorney visit you directly for private discussions.
By adhering to these guidelines, you can maintain essential connections while safeguarding your case during legal proceedings.
“Understand the power of the prosecutor walking into court with a transcript of your phone call with every word you spoke. This can be nothing short of disastrous.”
If you are facing serious criminal charges in Minnesota, it is important to consult with an experienced Minnesota criminal Defesne attorney as soon as possible. Otherwise, the ramifications could be dire. Contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation or call 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339. When your life is on the line, make sure Jack Rice Defense is by your side.
Jack is a nationally recognized and award winning criminal defense lawyer, awarded Minnesota Super Lawyer for 2023, Among the Best Lawyers of 2022, winner of the Minnesota Attorney of the Year Award for 2021 and founder of Jack Rice Defense. He was awarded the Professional Excellence Award from the MSBA for 2020, and is an MSBA Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist. He is also a former Prosecutor and a former U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Officer. This St. Paul Criminal Defense Lawyer has decades of experience successfully representing thousands of clients facing everything from Sex Crimes, Child Pornography, Domestic Assault to DWI to Murder to other serious criminal charges.
