New York City Criminal Attorney Discusses 3 Police Tactics Used to Get Confessions
by
Jay Kenneth Goldberg on Oct. 31, 2017
Summary: Police use several tactics to get suspects to confess, as Police Magazine explains. These techniques can overwhelm victims of false arrest, and people sometimes confess to crimes they did not commit or lie about certain details to appease the questioning officer.
A New York City false arrest lawyer from Goldberg & Allen, LLP can represent your interests during interrogations. We will help you avoid mistakes and aggressively fight for a positive outcome to your case.
Our attorneys have represented clients in high-profile lawsuits against the city for police brutality and false arrest. Call 212-766-3366 to schedule a consultation. You can also learn more about the criminal justice system in New York by visiting criminal-defense.usattorneys.com/new-york/.
Here are three tactics that police use to get confessions:
- The Reid Technique
The Reid technique has its interrogatory roots in the 1940s and enjoys frequent depiction on TV and in movies. Questions occur in a dank room somewhere in the police station, and officers take turns playing “good” and “bad” cop. In reality, this tactic is extremely successful at getting suspects to confess, as Psychology Today explains.
Unfortunately, confessors can be inaccurate or untrue. When using this technique, officers deliberately tell the suspect that confessing is in his or her best interests. They rely on these three concepts to achieve this:
- Isolating the suspect in a confined room for several hours destabilizes his or her mental and emotional states, making it easier to manipulate a confession.
- Maximization is the “bad” cop routine where the officer insists on the suspect’s guilt, claiming to have evidence, eyewitnesses or other information to prove it.
- Minimization involves the “good” cop downplaying the situation, perhaps claiming to understand why the suspect did it, promising release after confessing, and even congratulating him or her for doing it.
If police want to question you, there is a strong likelihood that they will use the Reid technique. Do not say anything that can incriminate you. In fact, it is better to stay quiet and request a criminal attorney.
- Informal Questioning
During a traffic stop and after an arrest, every interaction that you have with an officer is a form of informal questioning. If you do not know why an officer stops you, then it is safer to assume you are a suspect and to react accordingly. Do not incriminate yourself by answering informal questions. If you are free to leave, then do so. If not, then request an attorney before you answer any questions.
- Deception
Contrary to popular belief, officers are well within their rights to deceive suspects. In fact, it would be impossible for them to do an effective job if they could not lie.
Officers cannot threaten or make promises, such as barring you from your kids or offering a lesser charge. These tactical boundaries are legally unclear, however, so you should never answer any questions without an attorney present.
False arrest is a terrible reality, but a false confession is even worse. If you were arrested for a criminal offense, contact Goldberg & Allen, LLP.
A New York City criminal attorney can help you navigate an unpredictable justice system. Jay K. Goldberg and Gerald Allen have both reached the level of First Deputy Bureau Chief in Kings County. Call 212-766-3366 to schedule a consultation.
