Can the Police Lie to You During an Interrogation in California?

It’s not uncommon to walk out of an interrogation wondering if you were tricked into talking. Unfortunately, in California and across the U.S., it’s legal for police officers to lie during an interrogation. It’s a tactic they use often, and unless you know your rights, you could be pressured into saying something that hurts your case.

Here’s what you need to know about how police use deception, when those lies cross the line, and how a criminal defense lawyer can protect you.

Yes, Police Can Lie to You in California

It may be hard to believe, but it’s true: under both federal and California law, police are allowed to lie to suspects during an interrogation. This rule comes from a 1969 U.S. Supreme Court case called Frazier v. Cupp, where the Court ruled that some level of deception by police is acceptable during questioning.

California has not passed any laws banning deceptive interrogation practices, which means officers here can—and do—use lies to try to get confessions.

This includes both physical and verbal deception, such as pretending to have evidence, misrepresenting what others have said, or making false promises. The goal is to get you to talk, even if it means misleading you.

Common Examples of Police Lies During Interrogations

Police officers are trained to use certain tactics to get suspects to confess or give up information. Some common examples of lies used during interrogations include:

• Claiming a co-defendant already confessed and blamed you
• Saying they found your fingerprints or DNA at the scene, even if they haven’t
• Telling you there’s a video showing you committing the crime
• Pretending a witness saw you when no such witness exists
• Suggesting you’ll get a lighter sentence if you just tell the truth (which they can’t promise)

These lies are designed to put pressure on you. Officers want to make you feel trapped or hopeless, hoping you’ll confess—even if it’s not fully true. These tactics are legal, but you are never required to respond or explain yourself.

When Do Police Lies Cross the Line?

While police are allowed to lie, there are limits. If the tactics they use cause you to confess involuntarily—or if they violate your rights—the confession may not be allowed in court.

California courts look at whether your confession was voluntary. If a judge decides the police pushed too hard or tricked you into saying something you didn’t mean, your lawyer can ask the court to throw out the statement.

For example, if you were threatened, denied food or sleep, or isolated for hours and then lied to repeatedly, a judge may decide the confession wasn’t made freely. If that happens, prosecutors might not be able to use anything you said during the interrogation at trial.

Additional Protections for Minors

Minors are especially vulnerable to police deception. In fact, studies have shown that young people are more likely to confess to crimes they didn’t commit—especially when they’re scared or confused.

That’s why California Senate Bill 203 (SB 203) was passed. It requires that minors under the age of 18 speak with an attorney before being interrogated by police, even if they waive their Miranda rights.

This law helps protect children and teens from making decisions they don’t fully understand. If a minor was interrogated without speaking to a lawyer first, anything they said may be inadmissible in court.

Your Rights During Police Questioning

The best way to protect yourself during an interrogation is to know—and use—your rights. These rights come from the U.S. Constitution and apply to everyone, no matter what you’re being questioned about.

• You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer any questions.
• You have the right to a lawyer. Once you ask for one, the police must stop questioning you.
• Your silence cannot be used against you. You won’t look guilty just for staying quiet.
• Police don’t have to be honest with you. But you are never required to talk back.

As soon as the police start asking questions, you can say: “I’m invoking my right to remain silent. I want a lawyer.”

How a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Protect You

Interrogations are often meant to get you to say something that can be used against you—not to find out what really happened. That’s why it’s so important to talk to a criminal defense attorney as early as possible.

A defense lawyer can:

• Review the full interrogation for improper tactics
• File motions to suppress statements that were coerced or illegally obtained
• Ensure that police followed all rules and respected your rights
• Represent you in court and speak on your behalf
• Help you avoid making any statements that could hurt your case

Even if you already spoke with police, an attorney can still help by challenging the legality of the interrogation and working to protect you moving forward.

What to Do If You’ve Been Lied to or Pressured by Police in CA

If you’ve already been questioned by police and feel like you were misled, don’t panic—but don’t wait, either.

Here’s what to do:

• Stop talking to law enforcement Do not explain, justify, or argue.
• Call a defense lawyer as soon as possible.
• Document everything you remember about the interrogation, especially any lies or pressure tactics.
• Do not post or share anything about the case on social media or with friends.

The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better your chances of defending yourself.

Talk to a Criminal Defense Lawyer in California Today

Interrogations can be intimidating, confusing, and misleading. Police officers are trained to use lies to get information—and they’re allowed to do it under the law. If you’ve been questioned or arrested in California, don’t assume you can talk your way out of trouble. Instead, stay silent and ask for a lawyer.

A skilled California criminal defense attorney at Morris Law PC can stand between you and law enforcement, protecting your rights and helping you avoid serious consequences. If you’ve been pressured, lied to, or charged with a crime, reach out for legal help right away.

Call (510) 225-9955 or contact us to schedule an initial consultation.