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badge - California Public Defenders Association
badge - Sacramento County Bar Association
badge - The State Bar of California
badge - United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Why You Should Never Confess

HandcuffsThe most damaging thing that a criminal defendant can do during police questioning is to confess. It becomes extremely difficult for your Sacramento criminal defense attorney to help you if you make a confession, as it gives the police a very effective piece of evidence to use against you.

However, in some cases an officer will testify to a confession that was not recorded in any notes or report. Your Sacramento criminal defense lawyer should be able to attack this testimony to question its veracity.

Questioning the Officer’s Memory

Your Sacramento criminal defense attorney might try arguing that the officer’s memory of a statement made months or years ago is not that reliable. The officer might have interviewed hundreds of suspects and witnesses for various crimes in the time since, and is supposed to keep careful records of who says what to preserve evidence.

Police officers should have the experience and training to know that an arrestee’s exact words are important evidence, and to keep written records to put together a case. The law even requires that the prosecutor turn these reports over to your Sacramento criminal defense lawyer so that you can better prepare your defense.

Statements Not Recorded/Written

Using this line of questioning in cross-examination, your Sacramento criminal defense attorney might argue that the jury should not place any weight on a statement that the officer did not even bother to write down, and that the prosecution’s whole case is questionable without this evidence.

For an Attorney Who Will Fight for You

Get the best Sacramento criminal defense attorney you can. Call Param Pabla at (916) 285-7900.

Client Reviews
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“Mr. Pabla represented me with my DUI case. He has excellent communication skills and always kept me informed. Mr. Pabla made sure I understood the process and my rights. He eased my mind through a very stressful situation. I highly recommend Mr. Pabla.” Gurpreet
★★★★★
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★★★★★
“Param was excellent in my court case of failure to stop at a stop sign. The officer could not see clearly because he was too far away. The officer insisted he could and said he had video but could not produce it at the trial. The officer then asked if he could suspend the trial to go get the video but the judge said he should have had plenty of time to get the video ready beforehand. Needless to say, the judge ruled in my favor and dismissed the case which enraged the officer. Pabla Param’s defense and cross examination skills were excellent and paramount in having the case dismissed. Highly recommended.” T.C.
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