In a former post, we talked about whether it’s illegal for you to lie to the police. But what about when the tables are turned? Can the police lie to you?
Unfortunately, the answer is usually yes. The police can lie about most things, such as saying they have evidence on you when they don’t or saying they’re not an undercover cop when they really are. However, there are a few narrow limitations to this general rule.
First, the police cannot lie to you about your rights. They cannot tell you that you don’t have the right to remain silent or the right to an attorney. There are even limits to this exception, such as that the police can lie to you about their ability to obtain a search warrant.
Second, the police cannot lie to you in a way that is reasonably likely to illicit a false confession. Often, more circumstances than mere lies from law enforcement will be required for a confession to be considered involuntarily by the courts.
As with all areas of criminal law, there are many nuances when it comes to whether the police can lie to you. If you are facing criminal charges or worried that charges may be forthcoming, reach out to one of our attorneys to discuss your options.