When the lawyer steps into the interrogation
What happens when the lawyer arrives
In every case there's a moment when a suspect calls for backup. As soon as their line ends, a video takes over the screen: a lawyer in a suit walks into the room and sits down next to the chair. At the top you see the suspect's name with "'s lawyer", and over it comes the case text saying for how many questions they'll be unavailable.
You can tap the screen after 1 second to skip. Skipped or not, the game always goes back to the suspects screen, never to the room: that suspect won't answer right now.
Why they show up
The lawyer comes in because of a question. Usually it's one of those that push too hard and make the suspect angry; those questions also tend to count as two on the counter. In other words, the lawyer is the price of pressing without the right evidence in hand.
They show up once per game. After the block passes, the suspect goes back to answering normally.
How long it lasts
The block is measured in questions, not minutes. The event text says how many, usually 2. Every question you ask any other suspect counts toward lifting it.
Meanwhile, the suspect's card shows the "with the lawyer" stamp. If you go into their room, you'll see "The lawyer won't let" the suspect "answer right now", with no question field.
Watch the counter: if your questions run out while the suspect is still blocked, you won't get to talk to them again. Then all that's left is to accuse with what you have or, in a solo game, to buy 2 more questions for 10 coins, once per game.
What to do meanwhile
Question the other two. It's time to go after what's missing: new questions that appeared with your latest clues, contradictions you spotted in Statements.
If you have coins and an unlocked test, order a forensic analysis. It doesn't use up a question, so it neither speeds up nor delays the suspect's return, but it can bring the clue you wanted to throw in their face.
Plan the comeback. When the block ends, you want to show up with the confrontation question ready, not with more idle chat. Review your Clues and choose the evidence beforehand.
Remember that the lawyer's presence doesn't prove guilt. Innocent people have things to hide too, and they get angry too.
Frequently asked questions
For how many questions is the suspect unavailable?
The event text tells you, usually 2 questions. Any question asked to another suspect counts toward lifting the block.
Do forensics help free the suspect faster?
No. The block counts questions, and forensics don't use up questions.
Can I avoid the lawyer?
They're triggered by a specific question, usually one that makes the suspect angry. Pressing with the right evidence tends to get more out of them than pushing without it.
