If the police are questioning you or interrogating you, even if it’s just a traffic stop, remember that they do not have to be honest with you. They don’t have to tell you the truth. They can make things up or even lie as a means to manipulate you.
For instance, a police officer may tell a fatigued suspect that they have fingerprints from the scene so it’s an open and shut case and that things will “go much better” for the suspect if they just admit what they did. With young offenders, the police may tell them that they can just go home if they give the right statement and admit their guilt.
But the reality is that the police officer doesn’t have any fingerprints or other evidence, it is not an open and shut case, the suspect cannot go home if they admit their guilt and things will not go better for them by making this confession. The police officer is just trying to play off of the suspect’s fears about the situation to coerce them into a confession.
Your right to legal representation
To combat this, it’s important to remember that you do have a right to legal representation and you have a right to remain silent. You don’t have to answer any questions that police officers ask. You don’t have to make any statements. They can’t arrest you or give you more severe charges just because you don’t want to talk to them. All you have to do is tell them that you are exercising your right to remain silent and you would like to have your lawyer present.
if you are facing serious charges, understanding police manipulation tactics is just one part of the process. Be sure you know about all of your defense options.
