Do you have to tell the truth to police?

Answer 1

No it's your choice. In the UK anyway.

Additional: In the US, if you are a witness to an offense you may not have to write your own statement but you will certainly have to give one orally to the investigators while they either write it down or record it. If you refuse to cooperate in the investigation of the offense you COULD be charged with Impeding a Police Investigation - Obstruction of Justice - or similar charge, depending on the jurisdiction.

Answer 2

It depends. If you are under arrest your Miranda Rights allow you the 'right to remain silent' and thus avoid self-incrimination. If not under arrest, lying to a police officer can lead to you being charged with obstruction of justice or impeding an investigation. The best policy is to ask the officer for ample time to consider your response to the question, so that you can consider what would be a truthful statement. During that time you might want to speak with a lawyer or other informed person about your rights. Other considerations include duress, which is threats, violence, constraints, or other action brought to bear on someone to do something against their will or better judgment. If answering their question truthfully will cause you or someone else harm, than not telling the truth might be the best option. The 'alley test' is how I decide- if you are standing on a street corner and a cop asks you, "Did a man ran into the alley?" then you must first decide if you saw a man, and even if you did see a man, did you really see him 'running' and at that point it may be better if you can't remember whether or not you saw anything at all. But if you heard a woman in the alley screaming for help after seeing a man run into it, you may want to relay the portion of the information that will protect the safety of any innocent persons. It's all just supposition, an uncertain belief, because unless your in the alley, you don't really know what went on, do you?

What is the 5th amendment?

The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights and protects a person against being compelled to be a witness against himself or herself in a criminal case. Pleading the Fifth is a colloquial term for invoking the privilege that allows a witness to decline to answer questions that might incriminate him or her, without penalty or it counting against him or her.

Answer 3

Speak truthfully and respectfully. You will most likely be called in to trial and if they find out that you lied then you will be charged with pergury

Answer 4

Law enforcement officers generally write reports of crimes or unusual incidents they handle in the course of their work. Officers are not required to write reports of inconsequential matters.