Can Police Lie to You During an Interrogation?

Can police lie to you during an interrogation?

Unfortunately, yes. In Massachusetts and in most of the country, police are legally allowed to use deception when questioning suspects. They can claim they have evidence that doesn’t exist. They can say someone else confessed. They can pretend to offer leniency that they actually can’t promise.

These tactics are designed to get people to talk—even when staying silent is in their best interest. The problem is that they don’t just work on guilty people. They also lead to false confessions, especially from young, stressed, or vulnerable individuals.

You can protect yourself by asserting your right to remain silent and asking for a lawyer. You don’t have to answer questions, and anything you say can be twisted against you—especially when police are being dishonest.