Many people end up arrested, or in a worse position than needed because they don’t understand their rights or certain basic principles of law.
One misconception that often causes problems is assuming the police will tell you the truth. The reality is that police officers often lie and the law typically allows them to do so.
Lying is seen as a valid interrogation tactic
Police officers usually have a theory in their heads before they question someone. Often their theory is that the person they question committed a particular crime. While their goal is meant to be to discover the truth, sometimes they’re really more interested in proving that their theory is correct.
One way they can “prove” their theory is correct is to get a confession from the person. If the person admits to doing it, then surely they did it? Right? Unfortunately, not. Many admissions of guilt are untrue. The people who make them feel they have little choice but to say they committed the crime because of a lie the police tell them.
It might be the police tell them a friend has pleaded guilty and said they were also involved. Or it might be the police saying they have a piece of evidence tying the person to the crime which they do not. Either way, it can make the person being questioned feel that their best option is to say they are guilty in the hope that cooperating in this way will get them more lenient treatment.
If you find yourself facing police questioning, It is always wise to get experienced guidance from someone who knows your rights and understands the tricks the police may use against you.
