The police bring you in for questioning or an interrogation after an arrest. They ask you if you’d be willing to answer some questions, and you agree to it even though you don’t have your lawyer present.
You assume that everything that the police tell you is going to be true. But does it actually have to be true? Or are the police allowed to lie to you?
Police officers can generally lie whenever they want
As a general rule, you should always assume that a police officer can or will lie to you. They certainly do not always have to be honest with you during an interrogation. There are many cases in which they deliberately lie to try to get the results that they’re seeking.
For instance, maybe you and a roommate have been accused of serious drug crimes. They split you up during the interrogation. The officer tells you that your roommate has already admitted to everything. He or she claims that it would be best for you to also admit to what you’re being accused of – such as drug trafficking – which may help you get a lighter sentence.
However, the truth of the matter is that your roommate hasn’t said anything. Maybe the two of you didn’t even do anything wrong. The officer has simply invented that story to see if they can trick you into a confession. This tactic is often used with young people, but it could be used with anyone.
How can you avoid serious problems?
The fact that the police can lie to you and manipulate you during an interrogation is just one reason why it’s so important to have an experienced Lakewood defense lawyer on your side. Don’t answer questions alone, and make sure you understand all of your legal options.