Most law enforcement officers are good people trying to do a good job, but it’s an unfortunate reality that most police officers can and will try to get you to incriminate yourself, even if you’re innocent of a crime for which you’ve been arrested. Unsuspecting people can sometimes fall victim to these tricks, confessing to something they didn’t do or revealing a piece of information that unnecessarily incriminates them.

But if you’re aware of how police officers try to get you to incriminate yourself, and you understand what to do instead, you can protect your legal rights.

Hire an attorney

A criminal defense lawyer is going to be your best asset when being questioned by the police. Your lawyer is going to help you understand the charges against you, they’re going to represent you in interrogations, they’ll help you answer questions effectively, and they’ll even represent you in trial if necessary.

Practically speaking, you shouldn’t make a move or say a word unless your lawyer tells you to. Even the best lawyers can’t get you out of every conceivable situation, but they can put you in the best possible position, given your existing circumstances. That’s why it’s so important to hire an attorney as soon as possible in this process.

How police officers try to get you to incriminate yourself

These are just some of the ways that police officers try to get you to incriminate yourself:

• Repeatedly asking the same questions. Often, officers will ask you the same questions over and over, hoping to trip you up or get you to change your story. They may also do this by using multiple officers in quick succession.
• Making vague threats. Police officials may also make vague threats against you, suggesting that you’ll be locked up for a certain amount of time or that you’ll face stricter penalties if you don’t immediately confess. These threats may or may not be backed by anything. You certainly shouldn’t use them as a reason to issue a false confession.
• Downplaying the crime. Sometimes, officers attempt to lull you into a false sense of security by downplaying the crime. They may claim that they totally understand why you committed this crime, hoping that you’ll agree that you did it. Don’t fall for it.
• Lying about evidence. The police can lie to you with no consequences. In fact, they’re often encouraged to do it. A police officer may claim that they have video evidence of you committing the crime in question, but this isn’t necessarily the truth.
• Minimising the consequences of confessing. Similarly, officers may minimize the consequences of confessing, indicating that people will understand why you committed this crime.
• Making false promises. Law enforcement officers aren’t typically in a position to make you a plea bargain. Any promises they make are going to be insubstantial.
• Intimidating. Some officers attempt to intimidate you into confessing or answering questions, but try not to let it get to you.
• Wearing you down. Many precincts will interrogate you for long stretches, often holding you for hours at a time with minimal dialogue. This is an attempt to wear you down and make you easier to manipulate.
• Making false accusations. Sometimes, law enforcement officers will also make false accusations against you, hoping that you’ll admit to a lesser crime in the process or tell the full story to set the record straight.

What to do

So what should you do about this?

• Follow your attorney’s advice. Always follow your attorney’s advice. They’re an experienced professional, and you hired them for a reason. If they tell you to answer a question in a certain way, follow that advice precisely. If they tell you to remain silent, remain silent.
• Stay silent. You have a right to remain silent, even before your attorney arrives. Accordingly, you should take full advantage of it. Anything you say to the police can and will be used against you in court, so you’re typically better off not saying anything at all. Note that this is true even if you’re innocent.
• Be consistent and honest. If and when you do answer police questions, do so honestly and consistently. Do not resort to lying, and do not contradict yourself. It’s probably going to work out better for you in the long run.
• Remain patient. Finally, try to remain patient. Your interrogation may last a long time, and processing may take even longer. Don’t allow the stress to interfere with your decisions.

If you follow these strategies, you’ll set yourself up for a much better chance of exculpation, or at least lesser charges. The police may be working against you, but with the help of a good lawyer, you can shift the balance in your favour.

Tim Fawnshaw, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.