If you’re talking to a police officer, do not assume that they’re being honest with you. They may be, but they don’t have any obligation to be truthful. In many cases, police officers are allowed to lie.
For instance, officers will sometimes target young people who have been arrested, hoping that they can convince them to confess. The officer could lie about already having a confession from someone else or having indisputable video evidence. In some cases, an officer may just lie by telling the offender that they can go home if they admit to what they did. These types of controversial tactics have sometimes been used in the past to coerce false confessions.
What can you do about it?
The most important thing to remember is that you may not have to talk to the police at all. You have a right to remain silent and you also have a right to legal counsel. If the police are interrogating you and you believe they may be lying, staying silent could be your best defense.
For instance, if you get pulled over in your car and an officer is questioning you, your only obligation is to present the necessary paperwork. This includes your driver’s license, your proof of registration and your insurance papers. But you don’t have to answer any other questions, and it’s fine to tell the officer that you’d like to have your lawyer present for any future discussions.
The decisions you make at this time can have a major impact on the potential charges you face and the odds of a conviction. Always be sure you know what criminal defense options you have.