What should I do If I admitted to committing a crime that I did not commit just because the police threatened me?
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What should I do If I admitted to committing a crime that I did not commit just because the police threatened me?
I bought 6 dozen eggs with the intention of egging a friends house as payback for a prank he pulled on me. I ended up not doing it and just throwing the eggs away. A week later police show up at my house accusing me of throwing eggs off of a bridge onto an interstate highway at cars. I spent a good hour and 20 min standing in my yard telling them I didn’t do it . They told me, and my Girlfriend separately at different times that if I didn’t tell them I did it then they were going to make it a felony and they were going to come back the next day and take me to jail. So I admitted to it. Can I still fight this in court?
Asked on September 15, 2010 under Criminal Law, Wisconsin
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
Get a lawyer. Now. Do not speak to police, prosecutors, etc. until you do.
The short answer: if the police made certain kinds of improper threats and/or didn't "Mirandize" you--i.e., they didn't advise you of your right to be silent (your right to not incriminate yourself) and to have an attorney, it may be possible to throw out the confession. This is something a criminal defense attorney can evaluate for you, based on all the facts of the situation. If the confession cannot be thrown out, it will difficult to fight the case otherwise, given your admission. Good luck, and remember: you DO have a right to remain silent, and you DO have a right to a lawyer.
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