Interrogation Techniques Police Can Use Against You

Police use a number of methods to get a confession from suspects. If you are facing police questioning, it is important that you understand what techniques can be used against you and what is and is not legal.

Reid Technique

The Reid technique is probably the most used tactic by police to obtain a confession or additional information about a crime. The technique was developed in the 1940s and has been used since. 

Even if you have never been interrogated by police before, there is a good chance that you will recognize some parts of the technique. The technique has been portrayed on television crime dramas for years. 

The technique includes using isolation. The police will separate you from friends and family for a period of time. You could be placed in a room with no windows and left alone periodically throughout the interrogation.

The police could also choose to minimize or maximize the situation in hopes of getting a confession. This tactic is more commonly known as the "good cop, bad cop" technique. One cop might pretend to sympathize with you, while another will be tougher when interrogating you.

Unfortunately for you, the Reid technique can be very effective. The best defense you have to it is to call in your lawyer as soon as you encounter police officers. The lawyer can advise you on what you should and should not say.

Lying

Some people mistakenly believe that the police cannot lie because they are sworn to uphold the law. What they might not realize is there are no laws that prohibit a police officer from lying to obtain a confession. 

For instance, a police officer could claim to have several witnesses that saw you commit a crime to obtain a confession. Even though this might not be true, if you confess to the crime as a result, your confession can hold up in court. 

There is a fine line that police have to watch though. A police officer cannot lie and tell you that he or she can offer you a lesser charge in exchange for your testimony. He or she also cannot threaten you to obtain a confession. 

Interrogations by police can be exhausting and cause emotional and physical strain. Those feelings could lead to you making a confession that you did not mean to. To avoid saying the wrong thing while talking to police, be sure to have legal representation present during all talks.

For more information, contact an experienced lawyer from a firm like Brian Walker Law Firm, PC.