法律英语导读(12)
Recording Statements Made to Police Officers
People who want to cooperate with police officers but fear that the police will distort their statements should at least insist that the police officers tape record the conversation or prepare a written summary of it for the person to sign. The tape or summary minimizes a police officer's opportunity to distort at a later time. But there is a potential downside(不利方面) to having the statement recorded. Once the words are on tape, a defendant will have to live with(<口>承认, 忍受(不愉快的事)) them if the case goes to trial, rather than argue that the police got it wrong.
d. How Knowledgeable Am I About the Law Governing the Events About Which I'm Being Questioned?
People sometimes unwittingly provide evidence of their own guilt because they inaccurately believe that their behavior does not amount to criminal conduct. They may think they are explaining their innocence, while the police officers are using their explanation to amass evidence of a crime. For example, Moe gets into a fist fight with Curly, which results in a severe cut to Curly's head. A police officer contacts Moe, seeking his version of the fight. Thinking that he acted in self-defense, Moe fully describes his version of events. However, as the police officer interprets Moe's story, Moe used excessive force, and the officer arrests Moe for aggravated assault(加重企图伤害罪). Had Moe more clearly understood the law, he might not have talked to the police officer.
本节题目:
1、People sometimes unwittingly provide evidence of their own guilt because they inaccurately believe that their behavior does not amount to criminal conduct.(翻译)
2、为了避免警察扭曲自己的意思,可以采用什么办法?(回答问题)
答案:
因为误以为自己的行为不构成犯罪,人们有时无意间向警察提供了自己有罪的证据