Free Speech Is Not Dead

August, 2004

Reality: At least 135 people who confessed to crimes were later exonerated by DNA or other evidence. Most people assume that anyone falsely accused would deny everything and ask for a lawyer. In fact, typically only experienced felons invoke their Miranda rights. The innocent man asks himself, Why should I stay silent? I have nothing to hide. He is unprepared for the psychological rigors of a professional interrogation. The detectives who conduct it are trained to convince the suspect that his s...