Talking in the US context. The Miranda warning says anything you say can be used against you in a court of law but never to support your case. So as I see it talking to the cops makes no sense irrespective of whether you have committed a crime or not. So why do suspects sit for hours long interviews with the cops?
Edit:- “… never to support your case”. As some commenters pointed out the Miranda warning doesn’t say that. That’s right, I meant it in an implicit way. I just saw a defense attorney’s YT video who said that’s the hidden part.
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The Reid technique, also known as good cop/bad cop does a pretty good job of frightening a suspect, and making them think they have limited to no options.
You’re taken in handcuffs to a police station. You’re placed in a small, windowless room. You’re forced to wait for long intervals and then get questioned for long intervals.
You’re locked in a small room, sleep deprived, hungry, and need to use the toilet. You’re about as uncomfortable as you can be.
Bad cop explains that they can convict you this second and exaggerates or completely makes up the consequences. ie, you’re facing life in prison no matter what you do.
Bad cop leaves and good cop explains that you actually DO have an option. You can confess to the crime, sign an affidavit, and not only do you get to go home (and eat, shower, use the toilet) you’ll probably only get probation or minimal jail time.
What the Reid technique does is basically puts you on trial without a jury. You’re tricked into thinking you have practically no options, and you’re as good as convicted. Luckily — if you confess — everything will go back to normal.
This functions like a plea bargain, but there’s no evidence and no attorneys. You take the cops at their word that they can convict you, and then agree to whatever they say.
This type of interrogation ought to be outlawed, but it’s used because it’s successful at getting guilty people to confess. But it’s so stressful that sometimes it gets confessions to crimes that the accused didn’t commit…
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