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Lionel Mandrake

(4,121 posts) Fri Mar 17, 2023, 11:07 PM Mar 2023

Being arrested on UK cop shows

On this side of the pond we speak of Mirandizing the suspect: "You have the right to remain silent ... ."

The Brits do it differently, according to shows like "Vera". Part of their warning goes something like this:

"You don't have to say anything, but it may harm your defense if you fail to mention when questioned something you later rely on in court."

Huh? I can parse the sentence, but I don't understand its implications. What's the story here?

8 replies

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Being arrested on UK cop shows (Original Post) Lionel Mandrake Mar 2023 OP

It is the same in Canada, just stay silent and don't talk and ask for a lawyer Bev54 Mar 2023 #1

Years ago I read that French police were getting tired of the U.S. cop shows being shown dflprincess Mar 2023 #5

I would bet it is the same here. Bev54 Mar 2023 #6

have wondered about that too KT2000 Mar 2023 #2

Can being quiet really harm the suspect's defense? Lionel Mandrake Mar 2023 #7

I think it's referring to people who answer questions Phoenix61 Mar 2023 #3

While the wording is stilted, the result is the same. 3Hotdogs Mar 2023 #4

Of course, in the UK, there's ALWAYS CC CAMERAS vanlassie Mar 2023 #8

Bev54

(11,917 posts)

1. It is the same in Canada, just stay silent and don't talk and ask for a lawyer

Reply to Lionel Mandrake (Original post)

Fri Mar 17, 2023, 11:16 PM

Mar 2023

They can question you but you can refuse to answer. We just don't have Miranda rights read to us like in the US.

dflprincess

(28,469 posts)

5. Years ago I read that French police were getting tired of the U.S. cop shows being shown

Reply to Bev54 (Reply #1)

Sat Mar 18, 2023, 08:23 PM

Mar 2023

there because, when they'd arrest someone, the suspect would demand to be read the Miranda warning. (Criminals - not always the brightest bunch.)

Bev54

(11,917 posts)

6. I would bet it is the same here.

Reply to dflprincess (Reply #5)

Sat Mar 18, 2023, 10:48 PM

Mar 2023

KT2000

(20,832 posts)

2. have wondered about that too

Reply to Lionel Mandrake (Original post)

Sat Mar 18, 2023, 03:17 AM

Mar 2023

It sounds like being quiet would work against the person in court no matter what.

Lionel Mandrake

(4,121 posts)

7. Can being quiet really harm the suspect's defense?

Reply to KT2000 (Reply #2)

Sat Mar 18, 2023, 11:21 PM

Mar 2023

I can't imagine a scenario where this would be true. But I don't know much about British courts.

Phoenix61

(17,641 posts)

3. I think it's referring to people who answer questions

Reply to Lionel Mandrake (Original post)

Sat Mar 18, 2023, 06:51 AM

Mar 2023

then later conveniently “remember” things so their story is much different.

3Hotdogs

(13,394 posts)

4. While the wording is stilted, the result is the same.

Reply to Lionel Mandrake (Original post)

Sat Mar 18, 2023, 07:26 AM

Mar 2023

Several Brit cop shows have defendants seated with their solicitor at their side, sometimes telling client to not answer.

More common, the suspect being held and not saying a word. D.C.I. fretting that they only have 48 hours to get him to confess before they have to release him.

vanlassie

(5,899 posts)

8. Of course, in the UK, there's ALWAYS CC CAMERAS

Reply to 3Hotdogs (Reply #4)

Wed Mar 22, 2023, 08:48 PM

Mar 2023

literally anywhere it may be needed to catch the bad guy in the act!

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