Jail Calls Used as Evidence for Prosecution

Anyone held in jail for a criminal charge should be aware that every phone call they make from jail is not only recorded but made available to investigators and prosecutors. When a person makes a call, they are usually reminded during the call by a recorded voice that all calls are being recorded. Despite these warnings inmates regularly confess to their current charge or incriminate themselves in new offenses. There have been many defendants who make these statements while their trial is in progress and the damaging phone recording is played the next day by the prosecution.

There is nothing that frustrates a criminal defense attorney more than incriminating statements made on a jail house phone. For security reasons the penal institutions are allowed to make these recordings and they are almost always found to be admissible by the trial judge.

All experienced defense attorneys will advise their clients at their first meeting that all jail calls are recorded.