How Much Can The Police Fudge The Truth During Interrogations?
Something that will send people running to speak with a criminal attorney is learning that the police have a surprising amount of leeway when it comes to telling the truth to suspects. This is fundamentally an investigative technique, and there have been criminal cases demonstrating times when cops have lied to suspects.
With such broad power in the hands of police, defendants need to be extremely careful in how they talk to the cops during interrogations or interviews. Take a look at just how far this can go.
Lying About Evidence and the Testimony of Others
A common police interrogation tactic is to misrepresent what is and isn't known in the case. For example, a police officer might tell you that they have DNA tying you to the scene of a murder. They don't have to have lab results showing that fact to be true. Even if they did, they don't have to disclose that evidence until the discovery process starts, and that comes after you've been charged and arraigned for a crime.
Cops also like to separate suspects and interrogate them separately to see if their stories match up. The police can lie to you about whether the other suspect confessed, for example. It's up to you to hold your ground and maintain your right to remain silent.
Misrepresenting Your Rights
This is one of the big things the cops can't do. A police officer can't tell you, for example, that you don't have the right to criminal attorney services. If something is a constitutional right, such as your right to not speak about the case with the cops or to not let them enter your home without a warrant, the police can't tell you otherwise.
Pushing for an Admission of Guilt
Higher courts recognize that the cops can't push you to admit to a crime. They have to present whatever facts true or not they can and see how you respond. Involuntary confessions are illegal, and the police can't introduce conditions that would compel you to confess.
What Do You Do?
There isn't a criminal attorney in America that will tell you to do anything other than don't engage in any conversations with the cops until counsel is present. If the cops want to push the issue, you need to tell them that you want to meet with a lawyer. They're allowed to keep talking, but they have no right to expect answers. Stay quiet and don't do their job for them.
For more information, reach out to a local criminal attorney.