If you’re talking to a police officer, you may assume that everything they tell you is going to be the truth. You may even think that they are obligated to be honest with you because they are in a position of power. After all, the police are certainly asking you to be honest with them, so you may believe that this works both ways.
But it does not. In many cases, the police can lie to you. For example, they could tell you during an interrogation that they have testimony from a witness or that someone else who was involved with the alleged criminal act already admitted to what happened. The officers will tell you that you should just admit it as well, making things go easier for you.
But the reality may be that they don’t have any other evidence or any other testimony. They also know that things won’t “go easier for you.” They’re just trying to manipulate you into making a false confession because you want the interrogation to end.
What should you do?
These types of tactics don’t happen in every case, but they are common, and they often target young offenders. The key thing to remember is that you have a right to legal representation and you have a right to remain silent. If the police officer asks you a question and you’re worried that you may incriminate yourself, there is no legal obligation to answer. Instead, you may just want to tell the officer that you’re not going to answer any further questions until your legal team is present.
This can create a rather complex situation, especially when facing serious charges. It’s important to understand your legal defense options.
