If there is suspicion that you have committed a sex crime, the police sometimes use tricks such as pretext calls, to try and get you to incriminate yourself. The pretext calls can occur the day after the incident, weeks, months, or even years afterwards. It all depends on when the alleged victim decides to come forward with the accusation. There may be multiple pretext calls made within a short timeframe, or over an extended period. The police will try as much as possible to get a confession throughout a pretext call. This is completely legal and if you make any admissions on the call, the conversation is admissible and can be used against you in court.
What is a Pretext Call?
When an alleged victim attends the police station to report an offence the police will start to ask them questions. The best thing for prosecution’s case, is if there is a confession from the alleged perpetrator. Due to this, police will sometimes ask the alleged victim to participate in a pretext phone call.
The police will get the alleged victim to call the accused, therefore, this sort of method is usually used when the two parties know each other. However, it may be used when the parties don’t know each other but they have the alleged accused’s phone number.
The police without you knowing will record the entire conversation and if there is anything in the call that can be used against you, they will produce the recording in court.
What Should I Listen Out for If I Think I Have Answered a Pretext Phone Call?
The alleged victim will not say “did you rape me” as the police know this will lead to a defence response. The police will get the alleged victim to ask questions that will amount to the conclusion of an offence being committed.
Phrases to look out for include:
- How come you did it?
- Why did you do it to me?
- Why did you keep going when I told you to stop?
- What did you do to me last night?
- Why were you touching me there?
The police will never make themselves known during the phone call.
How to Avoid Being Caught Via a Pretext Call?
If you think you are subject to a sex crime investigation, do not answer calls from the alleged accused, from any unknown numbers, or persons known to the alleged victim.
If you think you may be subject to a sex offence investigation, arm yourself with a criminal lawyer. Our team specialises in criminal law. Our role is to sit down with you and work out the strategy that will get you the best possible result. If you have any questions about this article or any other topic of law, please call our team of experts on 1300 066 669.
