We at Coldsnap Legal Collective have received many reports recently of police harassment and attempted interrogation at the homes of many area residents regarding supposed involvement with the RNC.  We would just like to make a friendly reminder that you NEVER have to answer a cop’s questions (or the questions of any level of law enforcement, including federal agents).  The legally safest thing to say is always “I’m going to remain silent. I want to speak to a lawyer.”

So that you can be prepared if the cops stop in for a visit at your residence, some information regarding common interrogation tactics is here:

An edited excerpt from an article by Just Cause Law Collective:

To read the full article or for more resources, see Common Interrogation Lines.

It’s unlawful for the police to beat you into confessing; however, it’s perfectly legal for them to sucker you into it. That’s why interrogation doesn’t usually involve bright lights and rubber hoses–more often than not, the officer sounds sympathetic or at least business-like. And that can leave you even more vulnerable to manipulation, because when you feel relieved that the officer isn’t being really scary, you tend to let your guard down. Besides, it’s truly difficult to overcome the natural urge to talk one’s way out of trouble. That’s why it makes so much sense to train yourself to say “I’m going to remain silent. I want to speak to a lawyer,” under any circumstances. It’s got to become a reflex you can rely on, the same way you know that you’d automatically start swimming if you fell into deep water, even if you were scared and disoriented.

Common Interrogation Lines

You’re not a suspect. We’re simply investigating here. Just help us understand what happened and then you can go.

  • If you answer questions, you’re likely to become a suspect, if you aren’t really one already.

What are you afraid of? If you haven’t done anything wrong, then you shouldn’t have any problem answering my questions.

  • What you should be afraid of is being lured into answering questions. You don’t have anything to prove. Remember, in court you’re “innocent until proven guilty”–and the thing most likely to prove guilt is an unplanned statement made when you’re arrested. If the police are thinking of arresting you, answering their questions will make them more determined to do it, not less so.

Look, if you don’t answer my questions, I won’t have any choice but to take you to jail. This is your chance to tell your side of the story.

  • This is the most common trick of all! The police consistently pretend that they’re considering letting you go, when they’ve already made up their minds to take you to jail. Remember, the time to tell your side of the story is when you’re in court and have your lawyer helping you–not when you’re alone with a cop who’s busy building a case against you.

Your friends have all cooperated and we let them go home. You’re the only one left. Do you want to stay in jail?

  • The police can lie about where your friends are and what they’ve said. Don’t trust information given to you by the cops. Make sure to verify your facts through a lawyer or your friends and family.

I’m tired of screwing around. If you don’t answer my questions, you’re going to be charged with obstruction.

  • The Constitution guarantees you the right to remain silent–so refusing to answer questions can’t be against the law. But some cops will still threaten you with “resisting an officer” or “obstruction of justice,” just to see whether you’ll fall for it.

Come on, I’m not asking you to sign anything. We’re just talking. And you can stop any time you want to.

  • Remember, anything you say can be used against you in a court of law. You don’t have to sign anything to make it a real confession–the police will just quote you (and they may be taping you, too). The time to stop is before you ever begin–even a little time spent answering questions can completely screw up your case.

Look, we’ve got all the evidence we need to convict you, so you might as well confess.

  • Yeah, right. If the police really had all the evidence they needed, they wouldn’t waste time talking to you. The only reason they’re questioning you is because they don’t have enough proof, and they’re hoping you’ll be kind enough to give it to them.

Basically, the case against you is really strong. It’s not a question of whether you’re going to jail–it’s a question of what you’re to jail for. This is your last chance to get the right information to the DA before they decide on the charges.

  • This is not the time to give more information to the DA (district attorney or prosecutor). You can do that later, once you’ve got a lawyer helping you. After all, the DA can change the charges any time up to trial, and usually does–reducing or dismissing them as part of a plea bargain. But your lawyer can get you a better deal if you don’t give away all your bargaining power by confessing to the arresting officers.