False Confession Testimony
Experts exist in the field of false and/or coerced confessions. However, the law places limits on what these experts may testify to at trial. Experts may testify on the general subjects of coercive police interrogation and false or coerced confessions. Experts may also testify regarding the techniques the police used in a particular interrogation. Experts may not, however, comment about the specific interrogation on trial in a way that may be interpreted by the jury as the expert’s opinion that the confession was coerced or false as this would invade the jury’s job to determine the truth or falsity of the defendant’s statement.
Therefore, besides the large expense of hiring such a specialized expert, the expert is limited in challenging the statement at trial. Your only strategy when questioned by a police officer is to demand a lawyer before answering any questions.
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