I'm an avid John Grisham fan, and currently I'm reading a non-fiction book he wrote called "The Innocent Man" about a troubled twenty-something wrongly accused of two violent murders. He went to jail despite there being very little evidence to prove he even knew the women. I haven't finished reading it, but it looks like there are several incidents in the book where the police coerced confessions out of people who were innocent, in order to "solve" the crime. It's very, very scary to think stuff like that can happen.
I was speaking with my Law Teacher once, and he told me should I ever find myself arrested for a crime, don't talk to the police. Call a lawyer. Whether you're innocent or not, don't tell the police anything until you've had a chance to consult with a legal professional.
It was amazing to me that even though these days we are read our Miranda Rights (you have the right to remain silent, anything you say can be used against you in a court of law, you have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you, etc etc etc) many people still forgo consulting with a lawyer.
Even if I was just being questioned for a crime, I would want a lawyer present. I wouldn't care if I looked guilty, I refuse to let some cop who's been around twice as long as I have trying to trick me into saying something.
Polygraph tests have been proven to be unreliable in the past. I don't know if technology has improved them or not, but I would refuse to take one of those, as well.
And another thing, never let the cops search your vehicle. You are well with in your constitutional rights to refuse a search unless they have probable cause. I don't care if you think you dont have anything in there or not. If it's a used car, or you had other people in the car, who knows what could have been left behind.
I know there are good cops out there who don't get their kicks by going on a power trip, but there are so many who do, or that are "dirty". After reading this book, I am actually scared to death of them. You're supposed to be able to trust them, you know?
Sorry, just some random thoughts floating around in my very sleep deprived head.