Is it Legal for Law Enforcement to Lie to You?
Most people think that if they ask a police officer if he/she is the police officer, they must answer honestly. But this is not necessarily the case. The truth is that law enforcement throughout Texas often deliberately disguise themselves while conducting criminal investigations.
If law enforcement has a legal right to lie about who they are, you are probably wondering what other lies they’re allowed to tell you. With some exceptions, police officers are allowed to mislead you about a broad range of topics.
Officers May Lie About Evidence
Prior to conducting a custodial interrogation, officers are supposed to tell the suspect what his/her legal rights are. These would be the right to remain silent, along with the right to have their lawyer present during criminal proceedings. It is crucial that the suspect exercise both those rights because officers are allowed to lie about any evidence they’ve found when they’re trying to get a confession.
Are there Really Any Witnesses?
Even if there are none, the police might lie by telling you that they’ve found witnesses. They’ve also been known to claim that they have video footage when they have nothing of the sort. Because police interrogations are so stressful, people have been known to confess to crimes they never committed. You have to keep your wits about you so that you don’t help police with their investigation and inadvertently implicate yourself.
Your Legal Rights
Although law enforcement may be allowed to lie about a lot of things, they are not legally allowed to lie about certain things. Police officers are not allowed to mislead or lie to you about your basic rights. But if they do, any information they get out of you may end up being suppressed.
Now that you’ve learned how some law officers conduct investigations, you likely realize how much of an advantage they have when interrogating suspects. In the end, invoking your legal right to remain silent and to have an attorney may be the best ways to protect yourself.
If you are facing a criminal investigation it is in your best interest to have an experienced criminal defense attorney, like Daniel K. Peugh by your side. Mr. Peugh is a former district attorney and will guide you through the process of an investigation and will advise you when speaking with law enforcement officials. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.