“Nothing you say can and will help you in a court of law”
Many jurisdictions have a law protecting suspects of criminal activities against abuse of government authority. European countries that are part of the EU have article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, in the United States there’s the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution. The US case is well known, you probably heard of the Miranda warning, even if you’ve never been in the US you likely heard the following words in a cop show on TV: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney…” Etcetera.
Despite this warning, people do talk to the police for various reasons. This is a bad idea, and it doesn’t matter if you’re guilty or innocent, talking to the police will not help you in any way. Perhaps they should change the warning: “Nothing you say can and will help you in a court of law”.
This lecture of professor Duane of the Regent University School of Law explains why it’s a bad idea to talk to the police… even when you’re 100% innocent! Of course he is talking about the situation in the US, but it applies to all jurisdictions where Fifth Amendment-like laws are protecting you from the government. See here:
After this lecture, officer George Bruch of the Virginia Beach Police Department gives his reaction. Will he say that Duane is right, or wrong? See for yourself:
