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April 3, 2025

Can Police Lie During Interrogation in California?

Written by Pointer & Buelna, LLP. Lawyers For The People, reviewed by Adanté Pointer

Can police lie during interrogation? Yes, and this deception has led to countless wrongful convictions and civil rights violations. Law enforcement regularly uses lies and psychological manipulation to pressure suspects into confessions, even when they are innocent. These tactics disproportionately target vulnerable individuals—minors, marginalized communities, and those unfamiliar with the legal system. You have rights if you or a loved one has been coerced into a confession. At Pointer & Buelna, LLP—Lawyers For The People, we fight to hold police accountable and seek justice for victims of police misconduct.

Can Police Lie During Interrogation? What the Law Says

Yes, police can legally lie—but that doesn’t mean their tactics are always lawful. When deception leads to coerced confessions, it violates your civil rights. If police use intimidation, deny your right to an attorney, or manipulate you into self-incrimination, any statement you make can—and should—be challenged in court. Law enforcement has a long history of using deception to secure convictions, even if it means putting innocent people behind bars. 

However, there are legal limits. If deception leads to a coerced confession, it can be challenged in court. Violating Miranda rights, such as denying access to an attorney, may also render a confession inadmissible. Courts assess whether the deception was extreme enough to make the confession unreliable.

How Police Use Deception to Obtain Confessions

Police use deception as a weapon against the people they claim to protect. These psychological tactics are designed to confuse, intimidate, and pressure individuals into talking—even when they shouldn’t. Some of the most common tricks include:

• The Reid technique: Isolating suspects, presenting false evidence, and increasing anxiety to prompt a confession.
• Fabricating evidence: Falsely claiming forensic proof or video surveillance.
• Minimization and maximization: Downplaying a crime’s severity or exaggerating its consequences.
• Good cop/bad cop: One officer acts aggressively while another appears sympathetic.
• Pretending to help: Suggesting that confessing leads to leniency or that silence worsens the situation.

These deceptive tactics target society’s most vulnerable—minors, individuals with mental health conditions, and those unfamiliar with the legal system. Police exploit fear and confusion to extract confessions, even from the innocent. This is how wrongful convictions happen.

Your Rights During a Police Interrogation

The Fifth and Sixth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution protect individuals from self-incrimination and ensure their right to legal representation. If you are being questioned by law enforcement, remember:

• You have the right to remain silent. Law enforcement cannot force you to speak, and remaining silent cannot be used against you in court.
• You have the right to an attorney. If you request a lawyer, questioning must stop until your attorney is present.
• You should never waive your rights. Police may attempt to convince you that talking will “help your case.” This is rarely true—always consult an attorney first.
• You can refuse searches. Police cannot search your property or belongings without consent, a warrant, or probable cause.

If police ignore your right to remain silent or deny you an attorney, they are breaking the law. Any statement they obtain under these conditions could be thrown out in court. Don’t let police intimidation force you into self-incrimination—demand your rights and call an attorney immediately.

The Impact of Police Lies: False Confessions and Wrongful Convictions

When police deception crosses ethical lines, it can have devastating consequences Research from the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law found that false confessions are a leading cause of wrongful convictions. False confessions stem from various factors, often resulting from psychological coercion during police interrogation. Certain interrogation conditions and personality traits make individuals more susceptible to pressure, leading to false confessions.

Wrongful convictions ruin lives, especially in marginalized communities. Deceptive police tactics can pressure innocent individuals into false confessions, leading to unjust imprisonment. The psychological toll extends to families while real perpetrators remain free, posing ongoing risks.

What to Do If You Were Deceived During an Interrogation

If you believe you were coerced into a confession due to police deception, take these steps immediately:

• Do not speak further with law enforcement. Anything you say can and will be used against you.
• Request legal representation. A skilled police misconduct attorney can assess whether your rights were violated and work to suppress any unlawfully obtained statements.
• Document everything. Write down details about the interrogation, including what was said and any pressure tactics used.
• Do not sign anything without legal counsel. Police may try to convince you to sign statements or waivers, so always consult an attorney first.
• File a complaint. If misconduct occurs, your lawyer can help you report it and seek legal recourse.
• Gather evidence. If possible, obtain recordings or witness statements regarding the interrogation.

Contact a Police Misconduct Attorney in California for Legal Help

Victims of police deception during interrogations or misconduct have legal options. At Pointer & Buelna, LLP—Lawyers For The People, we fight for victims of police brutality, wrongful convictions, and civil rights violations.

Call (510) 929-5400 for a free consultation. We are ready to fight for justice on your behalf.