We’re not allowed to lie, but police have a green light!

 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor 

Back when I was a kid we had to memorize the King James version of the Ten Commandments. Commandment #9, in plain English, means that you darn well better not lie. 

Yet, there’s something many people are not aware of. The Ten Commandments do not apply to your friendly police officer. Police are legally allowed to lie to you during an interrogation, and it is not uncommon for them to do so. I’ve never understood the fairness of this concept. 

You and I may not lie, and not just because it’s morally wrong. It is illegal to lie to police, for example, about your identity during a traffic stop or while being placed under arrest. Filing a false police report is also a crime. The most serious offense, of course, is perjury...that can be a felony. 

And yet, according to the Innocence Project--- 

1.    It is almost always legal for police to lie during interrogations.

2.    False confessions are a leading cause of wrongful conviction in the U.S.

3.    Minors are particularly vulnerable to deceptive police tactics.

4.    Police deception is currently allowed in every state. 

I bring up the topic today because a recent newspaper item indicates that the State of Utah is now considering a bill that would prohibit police lying to juveniles during interrogation. The bill defines deception as "false information about evidence." During an interrogation, an investigator could not claim they have proof of a juvenile's crime if they don't have it. A few other states have made this policy change, I’m learning, prohibiting deception in juvenile interrogations, apparently recognizing this major difference in development: Brains don't fully develop until age 25 or 26. 

I guess we are forced to walk before we run, but it seems to me that we just ought to abandon this practice, period. Regardless of the age of the person being questioned. How about demanding the truth all the way around? No lies. 

The Innocence Project stresses that you and I have the power to help end police deception by letting our lawmakers know that we support all efforts to ban these practices. 

What a neat concept for Pure Michigan! 

Let’s clamor for it.

 

 

Comments

MaryMargaret said…
Doug may I pass this blog on to my friends at Michigan Catholic Conference? The lobbying arm of the Michigan Bishops conference has been lobbying for prison and jail reform, particularly with juveniles.
February 10, 2022 at 9:10 AM
Agardenjeanie said…
And anything you say will be twisted against you
February 10, 2022 at 9:52 AM
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