You have probably seen enough movies and TV shows to believe that you shouldn’t speak with law enforcement unless you have your attorney present. That is one part of fiction that is true in real life—avoid police conversations without representation.
Still, when confronted by law enforcement officers, the urge to explain what happened is often too powerful to resist. The police expect people to be honest during questioning, but you should never forget that they have different rules for themselves and can legally lie.
Evidence-related falsehoods
It is common for law enforcement officers to say that they have implicating evidence against someone even if they have nothing. For example, they can say that they found your fingerprints or DNA at the scene, and they can lie about eyewitness testimony linking you to a crime.
Untruths about consequences
Police officers are not afraid to misrepresent about what may happen if you refuse to speak or confess. They may say that you will face a lengthy prison term unless you admit you committed a crime. On the other hand, they may lie and say that you can go home if you confess to criminal conduct.
Deceptions about your situation
Although law enforcement officers may not blatantly lie about your legal rights such as remaining silent or having legal representation, they may try to mislead you about them. They may even suggest that you are only having an informal discussion and nothing you say will be used against you.
Simply put, do not speak to law enforcement officers without an attorney to avoid a wrongful arrest or conviction. This rule of thumb applies to all encounters, regardless of the offense that law enforcement officers may be investigating.
