Anyone who has ever watched a police TV show or a murder mystery movie has probably witnessed a dramatized rendition of the Miranda warning. It is so important for criminal defendants to know their basic Miranda rights that the police have to inform them of those rights before questioning individuals who are under arrest.
Officers should inform you of your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney. However, they may also try to pressure you into waiving those rights. Why would police officers, who should uphold the law, try to trick people into giving up their legal rights?
The more you talk, the better their case
When you are under arrest, the police can continue questioning you for hours on end. They will likely record everything you do and say while in state custody, and they will try to provoke you into unusual behavior.
They can use psychological tactics to manipulate you. They can even lie right to your face, telling you that they are in your corner and that they can keep you out of jail if you just tell them the right thing. Once you start talking, their goal is to get you to admit to something or to contradict yourself in such a way that you make yourself seem untrustworthy in court. Only by staying silent can you avoid trickery and leading questions.
Foregoing an attorney is also a big mistake
You might think that you can handle an interview because you are innocent of the crime for which the police arrested you. You might even think that bringing in a lawyer makes you look guilty. However, having legal representation isn’t a sign of guilt but rather of someone understanding their rights.
When you understand the tricks that police officers can legally employ to build a case against you, you will understand why you need someone with a calm, outside perspective to guide you through police interactions. Although officers may tell you that they can help you if you waive your right to remain silent or your right to an attorney, they can lie to you and get away with it later.
Knowing your rights can help you stand up for yourself when you face criminal charges in Nevada.