The Police Lied to Me! Is That Even Legal?

The biggest myth about police is that they can’t lie to you. For example, people believe that if they’re dealing with an undercover officer and ask them if they are a cop, they are legally required to tell you. Another myth is that they are not allowed to lie during an interrogation after you’ve been arrested. However, police are legally allowed to lie, bluff, manipulate, twist your words and essentially say anything they please to get a confession out of a suspect, whether the suspect is guilty or not. The most common lies look something like this:

• “We have found evidence that…”
• “You’re not a suspect, we just want to understand.”
• “You’re not under arrest, this is just a friendly conversation.”
• “If you don’t talk to us, I’m going to charge you with…”
• “All of your friends are cooperating.”
• “You failed your drug test.”
• “We have a witness that identified you.”
• “We’re going to turn the recorder off, so it’s just you and me.”
• “Your friend sold you out.”
• “We already know what happened. If you confess, we can talk to the district attorney about reducing your charges.”

Police do not determine your charges. The prosecutor decides these things. Any implications that they can help reduce your charge is a lie.

Say the Magic Words: I Want to Speak to a Lawyer

The only information you are required to give an officer is your name and address. After that, you say these magic words: “I am invoking my right to remain silent. I would like to speak to an attorney.” After that, police are required to stop asking you questions. If they persist, continue to repeat yourself.

After any arrest, your best bet is to contact a Texas criminal defense attorney who can defend your rights and build a defense against whatever charges are thrown at you.

The Goolsby Law Firm is a Dallas criminal defense law firm that fights for those arrested in the Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton, Plano, McKinney and Arlington areas of Texas. We haven’t lost a case in more than 15 years and we don’t intend to start now.