North Carolina is one of the states that require investigators to record the questioning of people in custody. However, it does not apply to all circumstances. If it were obligatory in all cases, it could help stop people from being pushed into a false confession.
If you have ever watched a movie where the hard-nosed detective questions a suspect until they confess, you would know that being interrogated can be stressful. So, it is not surprising that sometimes people admit to something they did not do to make it stop.
One of the most famous recent cases was American student Amanda Knox who confessed during questioning to murdering her roommate in Italy. Yet she did not do it. A man was later convicted.
Once you have confessed, the chances of being cleared are low; after all, you said you did it, what more evidence does a court need? Psychologist Saul Kassin has studied why people falsely confess. Using a series of experiments, he showed how the pressure of interrogation could cause people to confess to a crime they did not commit. He explained how the interrogation methods taught to police play with people’s minds. These tactics convince a suspect they did commit the crime, even when they did not. Or, they can persuade them that the safest option is to confess.
If you are taken into custody in Bolivia, North Carolina, contact an attorney straight away. You cannot predict how you will react to the questioning tactics law officers may use on you. It can be hard to remember that you have the right to remain silent. An attorney can help protect you from this unfamiliar situation.