According to the material, when does the right to counsel attach during police interrogation?

• A. After the first hour of questioning
• B. Once accused requests counsel unambiguously, police must cease all questions on any topic
• C. Only during trial
• D. Only if the suspect is charged with a crime

Answer: (B)

When a suspect is in custody and being questioned, the right to counsel kicks in to protect the person’s Fifth Amendment rights. The important point is that once the suspect clearly and unambiguously asks for a lawyer, the police must immediately stop questioning on any topic until counsel is present or the suspect initiates further conversation. That unambiguous invocation ensures the attorney can be involved before any further statements are made.

If the request for counsel is ambiguous, the police may continue questioning on unrelated topics, because the invocation hasn’t been clear enough to trigger the halt. The timing or necessity of being charged, or the idea that the right only applies at trial, are not correct; the protection applies during custodial interrogation, before charges or trial.