Are police allowed to lie to me?
Yes. It's a legally accepted -- and highly effective -- interrogation technique to lie to you and present false evidence in order to elicit a confession. This is particularly common during interrogations in which officers might tell you that "your friend already gave you up, so you might as well come clean."
The best defense against these manipulative tricks is to avoid saying anything to police without first speaking with an attorney. Use the magic words "I'm going to remain silent. I would like to see a lawyer." Repeat, if necessary.
On a related topic, it's commonly believed that undercover police have to reveal their identity when asked. This is false. Police may lie.
Clip from the DVD, BUSTED: The Citizen's Guide to Surviving Police Encounters
