Dear Sheriff, Your Detectives Coerced a Confession

When an appeal results in the overturning of a criminal conviction because a confession was coerced, that is likely to garner some public attention and scrutiny. Somewhat less attention and scrutiny might follow a finding of not guilty in a criminal trial, and still less attention and scrutiny may follow the suppression of an interrogation and confession during a pre-trial hearing. Even less public attention and scrutiny—or none at all—may follow a decision by a prosecutor not to contest a defense attorney’s motion to suppress a coerced interrogation and confession. Less public attention and scrutiny can result in less feedback to a law-enforcement agency, which could impair the agency’s ability to learn and evolve. In some cases, forensic psychologists can provide feedback to lawenforcementagencies, so that we can all work together to promote justice. A letter is a useful way to begin that process