> Why can they lie to us, but we can't lie to them?
While giving false statements (any statements!) to federal officers is illegal, it's not illegal otherwise. If you're arrested for selling drugs, claim you're not selling drugs, and then are convicted - the claim that you're not selling drugs is not a crime. You can't lie in court, but the authorities nominally can't either.
I think the fact that lying to a federal officer is a crime is absurd. However, only a small percentage of the population comes in contact with federal agents so the impact is lower.
>can an undercover cop pretending to be a paramedic come into my house
I think most states have laws making it a crime to impersonate an emergency responder, and generally courts won't admit evidence that is obtained illegally (fruit of a poisoned tree and all that). However, the fact that the person is a cop makes no difference. It's the same as if anyone showed up at your door claiming to be a paramedic.
While giving false statements (any statements!) to federal officers is illegal, it's not illegal otherwise. If you're arrested for selling drugs, claim you're not selling drugs, and then are convicted - the claim that you're not selling drugs is not a crime. You can't lie in court, but the authorities nominally can't either.
I think the fact that lying to a federal officer is a crime is absurd. However, only a small percentage of the population comes in contact with federal agents so the impact is lower.
>can an undercover cop pretending to be a paramedic come into my house
I think most states have laws making it a crime to impersonate an emergency responder, and generally courts won't admit evidence that is obtained illegally (fruit of a poisoned tree and all that). However, the fact that the person is a cop makes no difference. It's the same as if anyone showed up at your door claiming to be a paramedic.