Anyone who lies to the police would likely face criminal charges for making false statements. Ironically, during police questioning, Louisiana law enforcement may make inaccurate statements to get a suspect to self-incriminate. The most frustrating element here is that the police could lie to a juvenile suspect. Juveniles might lack the life experience to deal with the situation, so they may hurt their defense.
The police could lie to a young person
Some wonder why it is lawful the police can outright lie to a young suspect. Essentially, a 1969 Supreme Court decision gave the police that ability. While one viewpoint may suggest the police need leeway to find guilty persons, lying to a suspect might result in a wrongful conviction.
Surprisingly, the overwhelming majority of states allow the police to lie to a young individual. The duplicity might not even occur during official questioning at the police station. Any interaction with the police could result in a suspect making incriminating statements. And yes, the police could be deceptive while talking to the person before an official arrest.
Deceptive practices and wrongful convictions
There are several ways the police could lie to a juvenile suspect. Claiming to possess video footage proving the suspect’s guilt or saying a witness has implicated the person in a crime might lead to a signed confession. Defending against juvenile charges may become challenging even when the admission comes from such a dubious scenario.
Suspects have the right to remain silent, and they have a right to an attorney’s presence during questioning. Juvenile suspects may not realize this, nor do all adults. Those who assert their constitutional rights may help their defense and preserve their safety.
