Which statement about interrogation is true?

Which statement about interrogation is true?

• A. Interrogation can include direct questioning or any statement or action by police reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response
• B. Interrogation only includes formal questioning in custody
• C. Interrogation never includes statements by police
• D. Interrogation is only after a suspect requests counsel

Answer: (A)

Interrogation isn’t limited to formal questions asked in custody. It includes any direct questioning or any police statements or actions that are reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from a suspect. That broad view captures both explicit questions and the kinds of police behavior that push someone to speak, even in less formal settings or before a suspect asks for counsel. So the statement that captures this broad definition—covering direct question as well as other police conduct likely to produce a self-incriminating answer—is the true one. The other options miss this breadth: interrogation can occur outside formal questioning, it does involve statements by police, and it isn’t restricted to situations only after counsel is requested.

Interrogation isn’t limited to formal questions asked in custody. It includes any direct questioning or any police statements or actions that are reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from a suspect. That broad view captures both explicit questions and the kinds of police behavior that push someone to speak, even in less formal settings or before a suspect asks for counsel.

So the statement that captures this broad definition—covering direct question as well as other police conduct likely to produce a self-incriminating answer—is the true one. The other options miss this breadth: interrogation can occur outside formal questioning, it does involve statements by police, and it isn’t restricted to situations only after counsel is requested.