You hear about it all the time; people in Michigan and elsewhere admitting to crimes they didn’t commit or telling law enforcement investigators things they wouldn’t under normal circumstances. You never thought it would happen to you, but it did. If you were coerced into making a confession, getting the charges dismissed so you can go home to your family may be possible.
In what ways do investigators coerce people into making confessions?
There are so many things investigators can do to intimidate or coerce someone into confessing. They may refuse water or food. They may refuse to let a person use the bathroom. They may threaten to arrest loved ones. They may also make promises they can’t keep — among various other things.
Why do people confess under these circumstances?
They do it for a number of reasons. They are often scared, tired, vulnerable or confused. They believe what investigators are telling them, and after a while, they start to agree, even if they know it isn’t true. The pressure of dealing with investigators can just be too much.
What can you do about it?
If you were coerced into making a confession, the damage is done, but that doesn’t mean you’ll ultimately be charged and convicted. It is possible to question investigator tactics. If it is found that law enforcement coercion was a factor in your case, it may be possible to get the charges against you dismissed or at least reduced. To learn more about how legal counsel can help Michigan residents in this type of situation, please take a moment and visit our firm’s website.
