Wardens and Enforcement

[CANOPY SAM]

I'm watching this show on Discovery about Game Wardens enforcing game violations (in California in this episode). In this particular show they follow up on a tip of someone discharging a firearm in a residential area, and they are aware that someone has been poaching deer out of season in this same area.

So they apprehend this guy with a meth pipe in his pocket at his residence. They search the house and find probably a dozen firearms in the possession of a convicted felon. They also find additional drug paraphernalia, and a homemade rifle silencer (which is also illegal to own), unmarked venison packages in his freezer, and deer carcasses and various other parts all over his property. They also find a bait pile in his backyard, and a nearby window with the screen removed, and inside this room are various firearms, more drug stuff, and the silencer.

So in a nutshell they've got this guy dead to rights. The wardens have this guy in handcuffs in front of his truck, and they repeatedly keep asking him to "tell the truth". They even say, "Fess up, and we can go a little easier on you."

My question is this (directed toward any law enforcement officials out there). Why do the wardens keep asking this guy, who is clearly in the wrong with a mountain of evidence to prove it, to "tell the truth"? Is this strictly for obtaining something of a confession?

And why on earth would they even attempt to reason with him, and possibly downplay the severity of his crimes? With this much evidence, and in the possession of a previously convicted felon, why wouldn't they just lock him up and throw the book at him?

These are just honest questions, and I'm not looking to start any kind of argument on ethics. I just don't follow the line of thinking the wardens used in this instance.

[Ufatz]

Have you considered that some of it might be for TV drama purposes? Remember, when people KNOW they are likely to "be on TV" they tend to behave and speak differently.

A confession saves them a lot of time and relieves the accumulation of evidence.

[nofishfisherman]

The CO can talk all he wants and tell the suspect that if he comes clean they might go easy on him but I think in the end its up to the prosecutors to determine what they want to charge him with and what deals they may offer him based on the evidence available to them. I'm sure the CO was just trying to get as much info as he could by playing the "we'll go easy" card. And I'm sure he was also playing it up for the cameras.

[Walleyehooker]

They are trying to gather more evidence or a confession. If you are guilty and especially if your not the last thing you want to do is open your mouth without a lawyer present. Opening your mouth has put innocent people in jail. Don't think the cops are always your best friend or going to do you a favor. You have the right to remain silent...use it!!!!!!

[vman11]

Have you considered that some of it might be for TV drama purposes? Remember, when people KNOW they are likely to "be on TV" they tend to behave and speak differently.

A confession saves them a lot of time and relieves the accumulation of evidence.

"some of it" might be an understatement...

[corncob]

Plain and simple ,they want to get a confession to make their case a slam dunk , avoid any possible way to allow for a weakened prosecution,and to make likely a quilty plea and avoid a trial......No going easy on the guy or any such have hearted enticement.

[brittman]

The CA COs have a search warrant ?

[CANOPY SAM]

Yes, they did come with a warrant, since the guy was turned in via a "tip", and they indicated they were aware of poaching going on in the area. They'd also identified him as a felon prior to moving in on his property.

What several of you say above makes sense in regard to a confession. That's what I was thinking as well. There were at least 3 cases in this segment of the show where they found similar results, and in all 3 cases the wardens used essentially the same language.

What I find interesting is that when one of the law breakers does admit their guilt the wardens do seem to go a little easier on them. Sometimes as much as simply issuing a warning instead of an actual ticket.

Yeah, I'm sure some of these guys enjoy being on camera and are playing it up a bit.

It's surprising how many of these game violations are also tied to drugs, and/or drug sales.

[Powerstroke]

Its TV.

[laker1]

These are maybe true stories,but they even have retakes of scenes. Just like Pawn Shop etc..

I don't think any are real=live?

[CANOPY SAM]

I think, and this is just my opinion, that much of what we see with these "reality" law enforcement shows, particularly the Wardens or Conservation Officer scenarios are probably real.

I'm sure they have to re-shoot a scene now and again for lighting, or content, or whatever, but many of these shows actually show people intoxicated, driving erratically, out hunting and/or fishing when they are approached.

They show people who have been assaulted, actual injuries, people sometimes perpetrating these crimes, fights, etc., and it might just be me, but it looks pretty much filmed as it happened. There again, I could be wrong, but at least these shows appear to be reality a lot more convincingly then the Pawn store show, or others like it.

Anyway, thanks for answering the questions about the confession, and/or leniency as to the crime committed. What you said makes sense. I find it fascinating that some of these people absolutely deny any wrong-doing what-so-ever, even in the face of mountains of evidence being uncovered right in front of their own eyes! Pretty funny stuff....

[mainbutter]

These are maybe true stories,but they even have retakes of scenes. Just like Pawn Shop etc..

I don't think any are real=live?

Alaska state troopers is real and live.

Also, one of the troopers was killed in action earlier this year, no idea if it was during the filming of an episode or not.

[skee0025]

They were not filming an episode at the time. As far as asking repeatedly for him to tell the truth. They are trying to get a confession. Evidence can be disputed, evidence in conjucntion with a confession, not so much.