Tag: Interrogation: Page 4

Patrol

Premature Miranda Warnings

Give Miranda warnings just before commencement of apparent custodial police interrogation-not sooner. Leave Hollywood tactics to the actors.

December 13, 2009

Patrol

Blood from a Turnip

Nothing can captivate a jury with such magnetic power as the live testimony of another human being, or even the reading of a confession in the courtroom. While it is one of the most difficult things to master, knowing and practicing the skills and techniques of good interviewing results in better case information and more convictions in the courtroom.

October 18, 2009

Patrol

Sixth Amendment Waivers

It will now be possible for law enforcement officers to attempt to obtain a waiver and an admissible statement from a defendant without running afoul of the Sixth Amendment.

August 6, 2009

Patrol

Non-Custodial Stationhouse Interrogations

Because warnings are only required prior to custodial interrogation, one way to minimize the adverse impact of Miranda on investigations is to try to conduct interrogations whenever possible in non-custodial settings.

December 31, 2008

Patrol

Contacting Mentally Ill Subjects

Fill your tool belt with things you need to keep yourself safe when dealing with the mentally ill. Each piece of information gathered before arriving on scene is another tool you may need.

November 30, 2008

Special Units

Eyes on the Street

In cases involving gang violence, get to the scene quickly, find the witnesses, and document who these witnesses are and what they say. Then if gang members do change their version of events, at least it can be explained why this person did what he or she did.

September 30, 2008

Patrol

Asking the Right Questions

Quickly gaining rapport and eliciting information from individuals is one of the most valuable tools in law enforcement. Obtaining admissions from suspects solves more cases than all the forensic evidence techniques combined.

September 30, 2008

Patrol

No Explanation Required

In your search warrant affidavits, your reports, and your testimony you have to lay out the basis of your suspicions and justify every detention, arrest, search, seizure, entry, and use of force.

August 31, 2008

Patrol

Pinpointing the Right to Counsel

Ever since the 1964 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Massiah v. U.S., it has been the rule that any statements about a crime that were deliberately elicited from the suspect by a government official or undercover agent, after the Sixth Amendment right to counsel had “attached” and been asserted, could not be used at trial to prove guilt.

July 31, 2008

Patrol

The Bruton Rule

In many cases, two or more crooks commit crimes together. When you catch them, you'll generally do your best to get admissible confessions from them. Arresting multiple suspects can actually give you better chances to obtain statements.

February 29, 2008

Patrol

Setting Up Talks

One of the most troublesome legal issues in law enforcement is the question of when an officer may resume discussions with a suspect after some kind of Miranda "history" has occurred. The answer is, "It all depends."

October 31, 2007

Technology

Speech-to-Speech Handheld

ECTACO

ECTACO, known for its electronic language dictionaries and translators, has developed a new hands-free, eyes-free, two-way communication system with an open platform. SpeechGuard PD-5 now allows officers to communicate thoroughly in a multitude of languages (and ways) without the assistance of a human translator.

October 31, 2007