When Can the Cops Lie to You?
In North Carolina, police can legally lie to you during an investigation. Courts have long allowed officers to use deception about evidence, witnesses, or even being a cop. What they cannot do is override your constitutional rights: once you clearly invoke your right to remain silent or ask for a lawyer, custodial questioning must stop.
What Are Your Legal Rights?
First thing’s first: it’s imperative that you know your rights. A police officer must always inform you of your rights before conducting a custodial interview or interrogation. These rights, also referred to as your “Miranda rights”, include the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. This is important to understand because it means that if a police officer interrogates you while you are in custody without first advising you of these rights, anything that you say during this conversation may be suppressed in a court of law, even an admission.
What Do Cops Commonly Lie About?
But although police officers are required to tell you about your legal rights, they don’t have to be honest when telling you about the evidence in your case. Rather, a police officer can legally lie to you regarding the type or amount of evidence that he or she has on you. In other words, he can tell you that they have the gun that was used in an alleged homicide, even if they have no idea where it is. This is done for the purpose of pressuring you into making a confession.
Unfortunately, sometimes people even confess to things that they didn’t do because the pressure is so great. Therefore, before you respond to any questions asked of you, it’s in your best interest to request an attorney. Just be sure to state that you want an attorney rather than that you think you should have one. If you state the latter, you haven’t officially invoked your right to an attorney, and what you say after that can still be used against you.
Police also commonly lie about witnesses. They may say that they have witnesses and/or video surveillance of the incident even when they have absolutely nothing of the sort. Again, this is a tactic they use in order to try to evoke a confession from you.
Being Questioned by Police in Carteret County?
It can be incredibly scary to be accused of a crime, and even more frightening to learn that you are going to be prosecuted under the criminal justice system. Not only the outcome of the case, but the experience itself can have a major impact on your life. That is why it is in your best interest to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
At Hancock Law Firm, PLLC, Joel Hancock understands exactly what is at stake, and he will do everything he can to help you fight these charges. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact the firm today!
