If the police want to ask you questions regarding a case, you need to be extra careful. This is because they can use tricks to make you inadvertently incriminate yourself. And one of the tricks they can use is lying to you.
Here is what to know:
The law may allow them to do so
While the police are clearly prohibited from using physical force during interrogations, psychological intimidation and the use of deception can be permitted once you consent to interrogation since any information you provide may appear to be voluntary.
For example, the police can lie that they have DNA evidence linking you to a crime, your friend has pinned the crime on you or they have a detailed witness statement saying you were at the crime scene.
Is it effective?
Using deception during interrogations is believed to make suspects confess to their crimes. In fact, a number of cases of false confessions have been reported over the years, which have led to many wrongful convictions.
If you believe the police have solid evidence against you, it may make sense to give a false confession, especially if they make promises like reducing your sentence if you confess and so on.
False confessions due to the use of deception are especially common among youthful suspects. Minors and young suspects are highly likely to be affected by lies during interrogations because it can be challenging for them to make the best decisions in such tense environments, and they always want to protect their futures. A significant percentage of minors convicted usually falsely confess to a crime.
If you are going for a police interrogation, it’s crucial to be prepared. Obtain more information to have thoughtful responses.