> people confess all the time as soon as the officer asks "Are these your drugs under the car seat?" etc.

Not that I intend to ever be in this situation, but what's the proper answer? Can't lying add another charge? So, do you lie, say nothing, "plead the fifth", demand a lawyer, or something else?

I think in America I think you have the option of saying nothing. It is hard to keep your mouth closed because of the huge weight of social pressure telling you to respect the police authority.

I haven't been in this situation myself, but I imagine doing this would irritate the officers and cause you to be taken back to the police station and need to stay there at least overnight.

You can definitely say nothing, or just keep saying "I'd like to see a lawyer". An overnight stay at the police station is not a big deal compared to saying something stupid that you'll have to deal with for a lot longer.

Also something to keep in mind is that it's not illegal for cops to lie to you.

Woah, are you serious? So could they do something like 'Yes sir, I know you have Miranda rights, but since they passed <bs law> on <bs date>, if you are caught with possession of <some drug>, you no longer have the right to remain silent, and if you do, it can add up to <ridiculous amount> dollars to your charges.'

What if the guy confesses something there and then later finds out the cop was lying? Can he do something about it?

This is actually their standard line, almost verbatim. Replace XYZ law with 'lying to me is illegal' and 'if you make this hard it will much worse for you and I won't be able to help you...' It is a long and well established right for the police to use deception to gain confessions. They will Mirandize you and then convince and cajole you into waiving your rights. They do it every day, and in almost every case.

Use your judgement. YMMV.

This obvious comment doesn't answer whether lying/saying nothing can add charges or not.

Say nothing except to ask for council. You cannot be charged for asking for a lawyer. Google "Don't talk to the police" and watch the first YouTube video of the lawyer and the police officer both telling you the same thing.

Heck, they should play that video for kids in middle and high school right along with their DARE and Sex Ed.

The YMMV refers to situations such as this: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7WEcpLi7kB4 Exercising your rights is never the easiest path but never, never let yourself be interrogated by the police. You are not required to allow yourself to be questioned, and there is absolutely no possible way being questioned can ever help you. Get a lawyer, the police can talk to them.

The key is to know when you have to speak and when you have to comply. Cops tend to ask a lot of questions. The ask a lot of mundane, pointless questions, fostering the idea that they are a bit stupid, then they will start hitting you with silly or contradictory questions. This is the trap springing; they are hunting for Probable Cause, or PC, and their definition of what constitutes PC is quite broad. They bog standard pig has a narrow range of goals when dealing with a suspect: get them talking, get them nervous, get them out of control. They move in pairs for a reason (and often times they group up at traffic stops): one chats you up while the other looks for anything that could be construed as PC. The nervous part is easy; a dude with a gun asking a lot of questions should make any thinking person nervous. Getting you out of control is the finish line: they want you out of the vehicle. Once you are out of the vehicle they have de facto consent to search said vehicle. A previous poster brought up "social pressure" and they are absolutely right. Embarrassment and fear are super useful when manipulating anyone.

You may be asking yorself: Classicsnoot, what is the point of all this babble? Is there an answer to the question anywhere in my future? Here it is:

Say. Nothing. Smiles and nods are absolutely enough. You are legally obligated to hand over your ID. You are NOT obligated to answer in detail. "yes", "no" and "I don't know/I'm not sure" are the script. As a very wise penguin once told me: "Cute and cuddly, boys, cute and cuddly." If Mr. Piggsly can't handle your clipped responses, he will become frustrated and agitated. A frustrated cop is a mistake prone cop. If you are male (particularly a male of color, but cops shoot white people just as often as black or brown people) DO NOT ACT IN ANY WAY THREATENING. Always ask or inform when you reach for anything. Do not explain, give reasons, or give back story. It is none of their business where you are going or what you have been doing. And finally, they will always threaten you with "a ride to the station". This is their Queen. Everybody is afraid of this, but it is actually to your advantage. They can only legally hold you for 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds without charge. And you are not legally obligated to say a damn thing. I know this is a lot. I am available to answer specific questions should you want clarification. Here is the script:

Yes. No. I don't know. Lawyer.

Edit: IANAL. I speak from experience: stopped as driver, stopped as passenger, retrieving friends and girlfriends who have been stopped. Arrested when guilty. Arrested when innocent. Arrested while existing in the nebulous region betwixt guilty and innocent that most citizens seem to occupy. Dated a lawyer. Related to lawyer. Paid a lawyer. Supplied a lawyer.