What Tactics Does Law Enforcement Not Want You to Know?

 Posted on March 21, 2025 in Criminal Defense

One in three American adults – approximately 78 million people – have a criminal record. Of course, not all of these individuals ended up behind bars. Some were arrested or charged but never convicted, while many others were convicted of minor, non-violent crimes. Unfortunately, even the mildest criminal record can follow you for your entire life. It is no secret that encounters with law enforcement can be intimidating, even frightening, for most people.

The police are allowed to use tactics that many people are unaware of to elicit a confession or an arrest. While most of us know that we should take our right to remain silent seriously, that can go out the window quickly when there are two trained police officers interrogating you for hours and hours. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, the single best thing you can do to protect your rights and your future is to contact an Aurora, IL criminal defense attorney.  

What Are the Top Five Police Tactics They Do Not Want You to Know?

When you have a better understanding of the typical tactics used by the police prior to an arrest, during an arrest, or during an interrogation, you are less likely to make a mistake that could potentially derail your future. The five most common police tactics include:

Police Use Manipulation and Pressure to Convince a Suspect to Agree to a Search

Police officers may downplay the consequences of a search to a potential suspect or even misrepresent their authority to search. Unless the police have a warrant, you always have the right to refuse a search of your home, your car, or your person.

Officers may use deception by asking a guest in your home for permission to search while you are away or may attempt to convince you that if you do not allow the search, they will be back within the hour with a search warrant, so you might as well agree. Never agree to a search unless the police have a valid warrant signed by a judge.  

The Police Often Use Coercive Tactics to Secure Compliance or Cooperation

Law enforcement often uses coercion as a means to obtain a suspect’s cooperation or compliance. This coercion may be in the form of a threat of arrest, physical intimidation, or promises of leniency in exchange for cooperation. It is important to know that regardless of your cooperation if the police have decided to arrest you, they will.

Nothing you say or do will likely have an impact on that. If a police officer offers you leniency in exchange for cooperation, remember that only the prosecutor or district attorney can make a deal with you. Officers often use non-verbal cues to intimidate a suspect, including standing very close to the person or refusing to break eye contact.   

The Police Can Lie to You During Interrogation

Police are allowed to make deceptive statements when interrogating a suspect – or to flat-out lie. They may claim to have incriminating evidence against you or tell you that another person has "flipped" on you, so you might as well confess. Both the police and multiple higher courts have ruled it acceptable for the police to lie in the interests of the "greater good."  

The Police Often Ignore or Manipulate Your Rights

Law enforcement officers often prolong detentions during an encounter in hopes of uncovering evidence of a crime. Officers are permitted to detain individuals briefly to investigate reasonable suspicion of a crime, but a person’s Fourth Amendment rights can be violated during a prolonged detention. You always have the right to ask to be released if you are not being lawfully detained or are not under arrest.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Criminal Defense Lawyer

The moment you know you are either being investigated for a crime or you are being questioned regarding a crime, your best course of action is to speak to a Naperville, IL criminal defense attorney from Law Office of Patricia Magaña, LLC. Attorney Magana works closely with her clients, handling each case personally to provide the highly skilled legal representation they deserve. Call 630-448-2001 to schedule your free consultation. Se Habla Espanol.