Officers Can Trick You Into Admitting You Committed a Crime
Officers Can Trick You Into Admitting You Committed a Crime
Officer Tricks Raleigh Man to Admit to Committing Felony Strangulation.
An Officer approached a Raleigh man after his wife's new boyfriend accused him of assault. The Raleigh man admitted to striking the new boyfriend and to grabbing his neck. In response, the officer charged the Raleigh man with misdemeanor assault and felony strangulation.
If the Raleigh man had followed rule number 2 below, he could have avoided the felony strangulation charge and possibly the misdemeanor assault as well. The officer needed confirmation that a crime occurred before he could file charges. So the officer told the Raleigh man that he just needed to make a statement for the report. The officer tricked the Raleigh man into admitting to what he did so the officers could charge him and later testify that the Raleigh man confessed to committing the crimes.
If the Raleigh man had remained silent, there was a good chance that no charges would have been filed. If the officer filed charges, they would likely be dismissed if the new boyfriend did not come to court. If the case went to trial, the Raleigh man's chances of being found not guilty would be much greater without his confession.
5 Rules to Follow When an Officer Approaches You.
1. Say ‚ CAN I LEAVE?‚ If the officer says yes, then GO.
2. DO NOT talk to the officer.
You may give him your name, address, telephone number and date of birth only.
3. Say ‚ I WANT TO SPEAK TO A LAWYER‚ to stop the officer from questioning you.
4. DO NOT consent when the officer asks you for permission to search your property.
5. Hire an Attorney who SPECIALIZES in criminal defense.
Please call Raleigh NC Attorney McCoppin with any questions.